Erik ten Hag has to overcome Nottingham Forest in the hunt for his first trophy as Manchester United boss, 33 years and a month after Sir Alex Ferguson had to do the same.
United are favourites to see off their opponents in this week’s League Cup semi-final but that wasn’t the case when the Reds travelled to the City Ground on 7 January 1990. Ferguson will always be the club icon of the modern era but his relationship with the United fans was not always harmonious.
After arriving in November 1986, the Scot had failed to clasp hands on silverware and was experiencing heavy turbulence in the league. The date 23 September 1989 marked the day of 'The Massacre of Maine Road' when City thumped United 5-1.
