Manchester United and Brighton face off in the Premier League on Saturday. They met at Wembley (twice) in the final 42 years ago.
In the early 1980s, Manchester United were a cup side, desperate for First Division success. It wasn’t until Sir Alex Ferguson arrived that winning league titles became a reality again, but with lots of patience from the board, including Martin Edwards.
United fans of an older generation may draw comparisons to now as Ruben Amorim attempts to restore United to their former glories.
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Amorim is looking to make it three consecutive wins for the first time as United head coach when the Red Devils host Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday. It’s a fixture that has lots of history, although the Seagulls have become a bogey team for United in recent times.
United have won a total of 21 fixtures against Brighton down the years, drawing five and losing nine.
Brighton did the double over United last season, winning 2-1 and 3-1 in the Premier League. They are currently one point worse off than United in the league table, sitting in 10th place.
Bryan Robson lifting the FA Cup trophy in 1983
Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Man Utd’s biggest win over Brighton – 1983 FA Cup final replay
The 1983 FA Cup final between United and Brighton went to a replay to determine the winner, after the first match finished 2-2 after extra time.
Gordon Smith gave Brighton an early lead, but Frank Stapleton equalised before Ray Wilkins put United ahead. Brighton equalised late on through Gary Stevens before Gary Bailey made a crucial save to deny Smith from clinching the winner.
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The replay was held five days later as United dominated the game to secure the FA Cup. Bryan Robson was the star, scoring a brace in the first half to inspire United to victory.
Robson later won a penalty kick, but instead of taking it himself for a hat-trick, Captain Marvel selflessly allowed Arnold Mühren to take it, and he scored.
Ron Atkinson’s side went on to win the match 4-0, with Norman Whiteside becoming the youngest player at the time to score in an FA Cup final, which remains United’s biggest win over Brighton in the fixture’s history.
It was the first of two FA Cup triumphs achieved by Atkinson as United manager.
Bryan Robson’s honours list at Manchester United
Robson spent approximately 13 years at United after joining the club from West Brom in 1981.
The former England midfielder won the Premier League twice in those years under Ferguson, on top of the FA Cup three times and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
To this day, Robson is remembered as one of the greatest captains in United’s history.
Closely rivalled by Roy Keane, of course.