ONCE UPON a TIME in MANCHESTER

Tuesday November 4th 1986: third round league cup
Southampton v United: 4-1
1
After having just witnessed his 'magic circle' being ripped apart by a seventeen year old magician called Matthew Le Tessier, Bojangles was not in dancing mood. A horrific start to the season that saw United ravaged by injuries and poor form left them lying second from bottom, The slaughter at the Dell placed increasing pressure on the manager. No funny quips or jovial remark from Bojangles on this night. Instead he twitched uneasily. Manchester was a long way off, the knives would be sharpening, were they already planning his execution?
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Bojangles vents his spleen:

'Four-one to Southampton? Oh Sir Robert is going to love this, more ammunition to fire the bullets, twist the knife and spread his poison. Whisper in the chairman's ear. He is not for us Martin, he is not United, loves himself he does.
Spends more time on the sunbed than the training pitch.
Well what was your management career like Sir Robert? Did wonders at Preston North End didn't you? Worked out well didn't it?
I know what you are up to. I know what happened in Mexico at the world cup.
Promised the Scotsman my job, keys to the kingdom and all that. You believe he is a better man, more United? Never liked me has Sir Robert, he hates me in fact.
How they forget. A poison chalice
Nobody wanted this job. Lawrie Mcmenemy, Bobby Robson and Ron Saunders. They all turned you down. Three wise men, but not me. I saved your neck Sir Robert, I said yes.
I got you Robbo. 1.5 Million of sheer gold. If it was not for me he would have signed for Liverpool. Yes Liverpool, and you think you have problems with them now? Imagine that Sir Robert, imagine that. Robbo in a Liverpool shirt?
And now you want rid of me?
Well two FA Cups in five years isn't bad. Better than your managerial career Sir Robert.
As for the league, so close then more injuries.
Injuries, injuries, injuries.
Ten opening wins on the run we had last season, ten wins, we looked unbeatable. Norm, Jesper, wee red and Sparky. We played football from another planet. Ran riot The United way, my way.
Like Sinatra sang,
'much more than this i did it my way.
The title was wrapped up in a big red and white bow. Mancunian not Merseyside,
Eighteen years of ignominy,embarassment and mockery.
Tear gas and Munich chants.
Very classy.
But we were finally back !
Name on the trophy.
Then the Christmas period, time of good will to all men. Well not me because we fell like a tree. Injuries, injuries, injuries.
Robbo went down and we came fourth in a two horse race.
They came back.
'Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool'.
But this year will be so different, get everyone fit especially 'Robbo'.
Then watch us go.
Knock those smiles off the Scousers up the East Lancs. I just need luck that's all.
I need a large slice of luck and no injuries.
They have short memories in this city, such short, short memories.
Forgotten already Wednesday 21st March 1984.
Barcelona at Old Trafford, 54,000 in the ground screaming their heads off.
My boys my United.
Two goals down from the first leg at the Nou Comp. We didn't have a prayer claimed the wise and bloody know alls. Well we did it. I did it, my United did it.
Maradona and Schuster, never got a touch. We blew them away 3-0.
Three nil !
Robbo, Norm, Arnie, Remi and Frank. My boys.
The roof came off. Tears of joy. Dancing in the aisles:
we nailed them!
'A great night', the Mancs said.
A Special night that brought back memories.
Those great 'Old Trafford European nights'.
My United my United my United. Not yours Sir bloody Robert, not yours, mine.
I just need luck that's all, a little more time.
.................get Robbo fit'.
Well what is it to be then Sir Robert ?

Are you going to twist the knife deep?

Official United statement:
It is with great sadness that Manchester United have been forced
To terminate the contract of Mr Bojangles. The board of Directors
would like to wish him all the best for the future and thank him
For his efforts..........Next
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