In 1981 Ron Atkinson took charge of Manchester United with one brief - win the League Championship. This desire had led to the premature departures of managers such as Wilf McGuinness, Frank O'Farrell and Dave Sexton.

But for the arrogant and single-minded Ron Atkinson, this was no deterrent. Almost immediately Atkinson's presence seemed to have an effect on the club. Two signings for the United midfield showed the direction he was heading.

Bryan Robson and Remi Moses were brought in from West Bromich Albion - Robson becoming the most expensive player in Britain at the time - and the midfield was galvanised.

Inside two years, Atkinson's United reached two Wembley finals, losing the Milk Cup to Liverpool but winning the FA Cup in the same season, 1982/83. In 1985, they won the FA Cup for a second time and then started the following season by winning their first ten League matches.

United managed to stretch their lead to ten points at the top of the table but then injuries hit and the club finished second to Liverpool, who completed the Double by winning the FA Cup in the same year.

In all his time at Old Trafford, Atkinson's teams never finished lower than fourth but the failure to win the League was becoming a millstone around the club's neck and 'Big Ron' was made the scapegoat.

In November 1986 United and Atkinson parted company.