Bryan Robson, Manchester United player

Bryan Robson was undoubtedly one of the great Manchester United players. Throughout many seasons in the 1980s, Robson almost carried the team.

Bryan Robson was born in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, and brought up in the north-east. When he left school he began as an apprentice at West Bromwich Albion. There, he was initially considered too slight and his landlady was encouraged to build him up with Guinness. He made his senior debut in 1975 and was soon widely recognised as a considerable prospect. He then lost a whole season, in 1976-1977, when he broke a leg three times. It was the start of an amazing catalogue of injuries that continued throughout his career. In 1980 he played his first game for England and then, in October 1981, he moved to Manchester United. Ron Atkinson, his manager at WBA became Manchester United manager and Robson was one of his first signings. He cost a record £1.5m, but it was money well-spent.

In 1982 Robson was made club captain, a position he held for a record twelve years. Throughout his time at the club he was hugely inspirational. He was a complete footballer, with limitless courage and stamina. He played in the centre of midfield. He could pass long and short, he could defend and tackle, he could shoot, head the ball and score goals, he had great pace and could run forever. For those with long memories, he drew comparisons with the incomparable Duncan Edwards. The 1980s were a relatively barren period for Manchester United. Without Robson, they would have been considerably worse. One of the matches that typified Robson’s contribution was a second-leg European Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final against Barcelona in 1984. After losing the first-leg 2-0, Robson inspired a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in the second. He scored two of the goals and made the third.

It was only at the end of Robson’s career that success finally returned to Old Trafford. He scored the seasons’ final goal in 1992-1993 when Alex Ferguson won his first Premiership title. The next season, 1993-1994, Robson started only ten Premiership games. The club won the double, but Robson wasn’t even a substitute for the FA Cup final. He left the club that summer to become player-manager of Middlesbrough. As Manchester United captain, he led both on the field and off it. He was held in great respect by both management and players. He also led a club drinking circle, seeing it as a means to both relaxation and team-building. This part of the Manchester United culture was challenged by Alex Ferguson and has now been largely left behind.

Considering the injuries he suffered, Robson’s achievements were monumental. He played ninety times for England and scored twenty-six goals. He made over four hundred appearances for Manchester United and scored nearly a hundred goals. He often played when he shouldn’t, his mental strength driving him on. He was nicknamed ‘Captain Marvel’ by England manager, Bobby Robson. In 1990 he was awarded the OBE for services to football.

When he finished playing, Robson managed Middlesbrough, Bradford City, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United. In 2008 he returned to Old Trafford as a ‘global ambassador’.