With Yeovil Town hosting Manchester United this coming Sunday in the FA Cup third round, we here at YTFC.net have decided to take a look at some of the recent occasions where the Red Devils have fallen at the hands of lower league opposition.
FA Cup Third Round – January 1984
Bournemouth 2 – Manchester United 0
Manchester United were dumped out of the FA Cup by a Bournemouth side managed by Harry Redknapp at the third round stage.
At the time, United were cup holders while their south coast opponents were languishing in the third division.
Names in the United side included the England captain Bryan Robson, but all the international caps were no match for the Cherries who can now count goal scorers Milton Graham and Ian Thompson in their club’s folklore.
League Cup Second Round – 1995
York City 3 – Manchester United 0
David Beckham, Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs are three of the most successful and iconic names linked with the Man United side of the 1990’s and yet these three stars could not get past division three side York City.
The Old Trafford crowd were left silenced by three goals without reply that would see the Red Devils exit the League Cup over two legs, 4-3 on aggregate.
Paul Barnes (2) and Tony Barras aren’t household names like the stars they faced, but they are forever in the hearts of the York City faithful.
League Cup – November 2006
Southend 1 – Manchester United 0
Southend were struggling at the wrong end of the Championship when they hosted Manchester United who had lifted the Carling Cup just a few months earlier.
But the holders found themselves leaving the competition after a single Freddy Eastwood goal gave the Shrimpers a place in the quarter finals.
Sir Alex Ferguson named 10 internationals in the starting line-up for United that day and even the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo saw his best efforts repelled by Daryl Flahavan and co.
At the heart of the Shrimpers defence was former Glovers’ centre back Efe Sodje, he had made the switch to Roots Hall that summer from Huish Park.
FA Cup Third Round – January 2005
Manchester United 0 – Exeter 0
Not technically an upset as Exeter City still ended up going out of the cup when United won the replay, but Old Trafford did witness one of the most shocking 0-0 draws of recent times.
Again, a United side including the likes of Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Tim Howard were thwarted from progressing at the first attempt against Exeter City, then of the Conference.
Paul Jones, in goal for the Grecians made save after save from Wes Brown, David Bellion and right at the death, Cristiano Ronaldo who really should have scored.
10 days later, at St James’ Park, Manchester United did shine through when the quality of Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and the Neville brothers was added to ensure progression.
FA Cup Third Round – January 3rd 2010
Manchester United 0 – Leeds United 1
Arch rivals from clashes in the Premier League, these two sides were drawn against each other in the FA Cup third round.
Leeds had dropped into League One and were struggling to readjust following multiple punishments and points deductions, but a single Jermaine Beckford goal sent the travelling fans into raptures.
Simon Grayson’s whites defeated Yeovil twice that season but will probably consider the defeat over their Lancashire rivals far more important.
Sir Alex Ferguson did rest a number of stars, but still used the bench to bring on Ryan Giggs, Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen to strengthen a front line that included Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck.
Capital One Cup Second Round – August 2014
MK Dons 4 – Manchester United 0
Louis Van Gaal’s current crop of stars have already been humbled by one League One side this season in the other national cup competition.
The Dutchman made a number of changes but still left David De Gea and Danny Welbeck in the starting line-up.
The side was made up with a number of younger players who now form a part of the first team squad on a regular basis including Will Keane, Paddy McNair and James Wilson.
The Dons’ front line of Benik Afobe and Will Grigg both helped themselves to a brace of goals as League One toppled the Premier League giants.
Manchester United will be hoping to avoid adding to this list on Sunday and despite the game being a sell-out, you can still catch full commentary on Glovers player, watch the game in its entirety on BT Sport and pop into the club shop to get some limited edition souvenirs from the big game.
