Arnold Muhren joined Manchester United in August 1982 following a
successful spell at Ipswich Town. He signed at the age of 31 and was
widely recognised as a classy midfielder with a left foot that was a
testament to his Dutch schooling. He made his debut in a 3-0 win against
Birmingham City on 28th August 1982 at Old Trafford and opened his
goalscoring account in a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth in the League Cup on
26th October 1982. His first league goal was the decisive strike in a
1-0 home win against Spurs in November of that year. A further five
goals followed during the rest of the season as Muhren helped United to
both domestic cup finals. Having been beaten 2-1 by Liverpool in the
League Cup Final, United returned to Wembley to beat Brighton 4-0 in the
FA Cup Final Replay. Arnold scored the fourth from the penalty spot to
cap another impressive performance.
The success qualified the club for
the European Cup Winners' Cup for the following season and Arnold again
played a significant part in their challenge. He scored 4 goals in the
opening 6 games of the 1983/84 league campaign and helped the team to
the European Cup Winners' Cup Semi-Final. In the Quarter-Final Muhren
played his part in the side's game of the season as United came back
from a 2-0 first leg deficit to beat Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate.
However, the second leg victory proved to be Arnold's last of the season
as injury ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. United's
title challenge faltered and they were knocked out of the European Cup
Winners' Cup by Juventus. Injury continued to keep Muhren out of the
side for much of the following season and he left in the summer of 1985
to finish his playing days back in Holland. United fans were reminded of
his great talents at the 1988 European Championships where Arnold
helped the Dutch to a memorable success, despite the fact he was by then
37 years of age. (Steve Drabble). |
Senior club career.
Years Team Appearances Goals
1970–1971 Volendam 26 (2)
1971–1974 Ajax 62 (16)
1974–1978 Twente 108 (39)
1978–1982 Ipswich Town 161 (21)
1982–1985 Manchester Utd 70 (13)
1985–1989 Ajax 99 (14)
Total 516 105