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Mark Bosnich joined Manchester United as a non-contract player whilst a
student at Manchester Polytechnic in the 1989/90 season and made his
debut in a 0-0 draw with Wimbledon at Old Trafford in April 1990.
Bosnich made a further two appearances towards the end of the following
season, however, he was unable to obtain a work permit and returned to
his native Australia. With his eligibility problems behind him, Mark
forged a successful career at Aston Villa and was regarded throughout
the Premiership as a great shot stopper with an incredible penalty saves
record. In the summer of 1999, Mark's contract with Villa expired and
he signed for Manchester United under the Bosman ruling as Peter
Schmeichel's replacement. Bosnich returned to the United first team in
the Charity Shield in a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal.
In the first three
games of the league campaign he conceded only one goal, however, a
hamstring injury saw him spend the next two months on the sidelines. He
returned to the starting eleven in mid-October and remained in the side
throughout much of the remainder of the season. His performance in
securing United the Inter Continental Cup in a 1-0 win against Palmeiras
at the end of November was outstanding. However, Sir Alex Ferguson
appeared unconvinced that he had found the successor to the Great Dane
Schmeichel and Bosnich was out of the side by the end of the Premiership
winning season. In his final 7 appearances Mark kept 5 clean sheets
including another noteworthy display in a goalless draw in the UEFA
Champions League first leg semi-final against Real Madrid at The
Bernabeau. Fabien Barthez was signed in the summer of 2000 and Bosnich
vowed to fight for his place. He remained out of action, however, and,
on 18th January 2001, his contract was cancelled by mutual consent
whereupon he joined Premiership rivals Chelsea. (Steve Drabble)
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