Blast from the Past: The night Manchester United last overcame a 2-0 away deficit in Europe

2-0 down going into the second leg against Olympiakos, David Moyes must surely be looking for some inspiration for the clash at Old Trafford. If he wants some, he could do worse than going back down memory lane and reacquainting himself and his team with United’s victory over Barcelona 30 years ago, almost to this very day.

What was so special on that day? Well, it was only the last time Manchester United overhauled a 2-0 first-leg deficit in Europe against a side. It was not just any side, but Diego Maradona’s Barcelona, whom they beat them 3-0 at Old Trafford and go through to the quarter-final of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1984.

Three decades ago, the Champions League didn’t exist and the European Cup was a straight knockout tournament for title winners. It was Liverpool’s heydays, when they were winning League titles for fun, much like United over the past two decades. Sir Alex Ferguson was still in Scotland and United were managed by Ron Atkinson, who was hanging onto dear life as a manager. A FA Cup victory over Brighton, was enough to send United into the Cup Winners’ Cup, where they faced Barcelona in the round of 16. The Spanish Cup holders, Barcelona were managed by World Cup wining Argentinian coach César Luis Menotti and on the pitch, were led by Diego Maradona.

After Scottish defender Graeme Hogg put through his own net in the first half, United were rattled. A late second goal by winger Juan Carlos Rojo meant that United left Camp Now 2-0 down and went to Old Trafford in hope, more than expectation, of overturning the deficit.

Ahead of the return leg, Atkinson said “The first game wasn’t a great game, we didn’t play particularly well but felt the score line flattered Barcelona a little bit.” He also added “They didn’t cause us many problems but scored the late second. They thought that goal put the tie to bed.” The Catalan coach was so confident of his side’s progression that they hardly brought any supporters to Manchester for the return leg.

But, that didn’t stop the home fans from supporting their side vociferously. Although, the fan support was on their side, on the thing pitch, it was a different matter altogether. It was a Catalan side that was built around the world’s best player at the time – Diego Maradona, who had the mercurial midfielder Bernd Schuster for company.

Before the start of the game, the then-United boss Atkinson told BBC “We knew we had a mountain to climb.” He also recalled, United’s chairman Martin Edwards words “You will hear a noise inside Old Trafford tonight like you have never heard in your career,”

On a gloomy Manchester skyline, the Red Devils were looking to paint a happy picture. Backed by 58,350 noisy Mancunians, in the opening few minutes, United had already managed to unsettle their illustrious opponents. It was a night which saw, in the stands, loud jeers and whistles every time a visiting player touched the ball, and on the pitch, being surrounded by a flurry of red shirts.

When Captain Bryan Robson scored from a corner in the first half, Old Trafford erupted and the hosts dared to dream. The skipper then gave their fans something to shout about as they produced one of the greatest European nights in the club’s history. “Captain Marvel” Bryan Robson overshadowed Maradona as he scored twice to give United a famous victory.

Before long, they had their third and were in pole position to go through to the quarters. But, they had to hold on, until the final whistle. Towards the end, the Red devils defended resolutely and were lucky not have conceded a penalty. In the end, it was just meant to be as elated home fans ran onto the pitch to congratulate their heroes. And Bryan Robson, who was constantly linked with a move to Italy, stayed on and won eight trophies since then.

Since then, no Red Devils side has managed to nullify a two-goal deficit on the European stage since the famous win against Barcelona. And, although they lost in the semis against Juventus, that night will go down in United’s folklore. As Atkinson said “Even to this day, players who played and people in the stands – and Manchester United have had many great nights – would say, atmospherically, they have never known a night like that.”

If, David Moyes’s current United side are to go through to the quarters, all they need to do is remind themselves of their illustrious past. Of obstacles they never thought they’d overcome, but did. With Manchester United having won all five of their previous home games against Greek opponents and Olympiakos having lost each of their 11 visits to England, history is certainly on United’s side.

And although Joel Campbell isn’t fit to lace Maradona’s boots, if the Red Devils manage to overcome the Greek champions, then as Atkinson put it, it will be “one of the great Old Trafford nights.” And certainly Moyes’s greatest Old Trafford night thus far.