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Gary Birtles joined Manchester United in October 1980 from Nottingham
Forest for £1.25 million. With two European Cup Winners' Medals to his
name from the previous two seasons, Gary joined United with a growing
reputation throughout England having made his international debut a only
few months earlier. He made his United debut in a 2-1 win against Stoke
City at Old Trafford on 22nd October 1980.
A regular scorer with
Forest, Gary struggled at United and failed to hit the net in 25 league
appearances in the 1980/81 season. His only goal of his first year came
in a 2-0 FA Cup 3rd Round replay victory against Brighton & Hove
Albion at the Goldstone Ground on 7th January 1981. He proved to be Dave
Sexton's final signing, as the manager was sacked in late April 1980.
Ron Atkinson took charge in the close season and brought in Frank
Stapleton to play alongside Gary, whose form improved significantly as a
result. He broke his league duck with the deciding goal in a 1-0 win
against Swansea City at Old Trafford on 19th September '81.
He was on
target again the following match and scored in four consecutive games
between 31st October and 28th November, helping United to a 3rd place
finish in the league in Atkinson's first season. Having scored only once
in his first 32 games for the club, Gary scored 11 in the next 32. They
proved to be his final 32 as, despite his change of fortune in front of
goal, he was sold back to Nottingham Forest in September 1982 for £250,
000. As with his debut, he made his final appearance in a match against
Stoke City, a 2-0 win at Old Trafford on 15th May 1982. Garry's last
goal came three days earlier in a 3-0 defeat of West Bromwich Albion at
The Hawthorns. (Steve Drabble)
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