FA Cup

On this day: Harry Redknapp's Bournemouth shock Manchester United

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 07 January 2015

Thirty-one years ago today, a Bournemouth side managed by a young Harry Redknapp recorded a shock 2-0 FA Cup victory over Manchester United.

Somewhat disappointingly, the third round of this season's FA Cup passed without a major shock.

While League One side Sheffield United recording a 3-0 victory away at Queens Park Rangers was perhaps the closest result to a giant-killing, there was no Ronnie Radford or Mickey Thomas moment to get you out of your seat.

Indeed, there was also nothing to match the achievement of Third Division Bournemouth, managed by a young Harry Redknapp, 31 years ago today when they played host to holders Manchester United.

Ron Atkinson's men had already exited the League Cup at the hands of Bournemouth's league rivals Oxford United, so they were expected to be fully on their guard at Dean Court.

However, what would unravel on the South Coast would to this day remain one of Redknapp's finest moments in management.

Having matched their more illustrious visitors for an hour, the Cherries amazingly took the lead when Milton Graham turned in Chris Sulley's corner, sparking scenes of jubilation among the majority of the 15,000 people crammed inside the ground.

Then, just two minutes, those that had been celebrating were sent into a state of disbelief as Bournemouth secured their place in the fourth round of the competition.

Bryan Robson failed to clear a cross from defender Everald La Ronde, who had arguably produced his best ever performance for the club, and Ian Thompson pounced to lift his effort into the roof of Gary Bailey's net.

It was a goal that proved to be the final nail in the United coffin and towards the end of the tie, some of their supporters were allegedly involved in fighting that spilled on to the pitch and caused a five-minute stoppage. Yet, once the fans had been cleared, the tie restarted and Bournemouth held on to progress.

Speaking after the final whistle, Redknapp said: "It's got to be the greatest day of my life, and I'm sure it's the greatest day of all the players' lives."

Meanwhile, speaking more recently to BBC Sport, goalscorer Graham added: "Atkinson did an interview and it came across like this game was an exercise.

"That was Harry's first team talk to us that day. He said, 'Did everyone see that interview last night?' It spurred us on. He said they are all in there, laying their bets, believing this is going to be a run out and they think they will beat us comfortably."

BOURNEMOUTH: Leigh; La Ronde, Sulley, Savage, Brown; Brignull, Train, Nightingale, Morgan; Graham, Thompson

MAN UNITED: Bailey; Moses, Albiston (Macari), Hogg, Duxbury; Wilkins, Robson, Muhren, Stapleton; Whiteside, Graham