|
Full Name
|
Brian McClair
|
|
Date of Birth
|
8th Dec 1963
|
|
Place of Birth
|
Airdrie
|
|
Position
|
Forward
|
|
Height
|
5ft 9
|
|
United debut
|
15/8/1987
vs So'ton (A)
|
.....
|
McClair's United Record 1987-1998
|
| |
Appearances
|
Goals
|
|
League
|
296 (59)
|
88
|
|
FA Cup
|
38 (7)
|
14
|
|
League Cup
|
44 (1)
|
19
|
|
Europe
|
17 (6)
|
5
|
|
Total
|
395 (73)
|
126
|
|
McClair's International Record
1985-1993
|
27 Caps for
Scotland - 2 Goals
1997 F.A. Premier League
1996 F.A. Premier League
1996 F.A. Cup
1994 F.A. Cup
1994 F.A. Premier League
1993 F.A. Premier League
1992 League Cup
1991 European Cup Winners Cup
1990 F.A. Cup
|
Brian McClair was a devoted servant of
Manchester United for 11 years. Born in Airdrie on 8th
December 1963, he began his career with Aston Villa as an
apprentice, but after only 12 months he moved to Motherwell
in August 1981. There he combined his football with studying
mathematics at Glasgow University (where he obtained a
degree) and in June 1983 he signed for Celtic in a £75,000
deal. At Celtic he won a Scottish Cup medal in 1985 and the
League Championship in 1986. The following year he was voted
Scotland's Player of the Year. His 99 goals in 145 League
games had caught the attention of United manager Alex
Ferguson, who brought him to Old Trafford in the summer of
1987 for a fee of £850,000.
Brian McClair was an instant success at Old Trafford which,
after previous failures like Gary Birtles, had gained a
reputation for being a striker's grave yard. McClair scored
24 goals in his first season becoming the first player since
George Best to score over 20 League goals in one season.
With a ruthless eye for goal and great awareness of opposing
defenders The Scotsman was a potent force in English
football and alongside Mark Hughes he paved the way for much
of United's early success in the 1990's.
McClair won two FA Cup winners' medals, four League
Championships, the European Cup Winners' Cup, and a League
Cup winners' medal - scoring the only goal in the final in
the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. He also scored the last
goal in the 4-0 win over Chelsea in the 1994 Final. Brian
was also a full international and was a part of the Scotland
squad which went to the European Championships in Sweden in
1992.
With the arrival of Eric Cantona McClair was frequently
preferred in an attacking midfield position just behind the
forwards, but he still never lost his scoring touch. He took
a back seat over the last couple of seasons what with the
youth players and Andy Cole taking centre stage but Alex
Ferguson no doubt valued having a fellow Scot to confide in
- as well as a great player who was willing to sit out games
on the bench. |
