By common consensus, the turning point came with a Mark Robins header against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Jan 7, 1990.It has been identified as the line in the sand following a winter of discontent marked by dwindling attendances, supporter unrest and the now legendary banner, unfurled during a 2-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace in December, which read: “Three years of excuses and it’s still crap — Ta ra Fergie!”
Within Old Trafford, however, the recollection is different. The Robins goal provided a launch-pad but, according to Robson, the boil had actually been lanced six months earlier, during summer of 1989.
“When the manager sold Paul McGrath and Norman Whiteside, he was getting rid of big fans’ favourites and it was a really big decision,” Robson recalls.
“A lot has been said about the manager not being happy with their lifestyle, but I think the major factor with both Norman and Paul was their injuries and the manager felt he couldn’t rely on their fitness anymore.
“But when you move players on who are popular with the supporters, you have to get results to justify your decision, but the first half of the 1989-90 season was difficult and there was a lot of pressure coming from outside the club.
“What the manager proved by selling Norman and Big Paul, however, was that he would take the tough decisions, no matter how big or popular the player. He has since proved that time and time again. He knows that you cannot allow cracks to develop and affect a dressing room, so he will make the big calls and that’s why he has been so successful over 25 years.”