On This Day – 8th January
Burton Albion recorded their greatest result in their history on this day in 2006 as they held a very strong Manchester United side to a goalless draw at their Pirelli Stadium.
This was the second season running that United had been held to a replay by a non-league club, with Exeter City earned a reply after a goalless draw at Old Trafford the season before.
It seemed as if Sir Alex Ferguson had learnt a lesson as an almost full-strength side took to the field at Burton. However, Wayne Rooney, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Cristiano Ronaldo among others were unable to break down The Brewers defence and would have to play them again ten days later.
Burton Albion would soon be on their way up through the divisions, culminating with two seasons in the second tier of English football between 2016 and 2018. This was still a distant dream though and the club were only in their fourth season in the Conference.
The non-league side were managed by Nigel Clough, the former England international and son of the famous former manager Brian. He had been in charge of the club since 1998 and had ended his playing career with Albion.
The home side twice had chances cleared off the line by United defenders and were the better side before half-time. They then held on throughout the second half and secured a replay at Old Trafford.
Any hopes of a massive giantkilling were quickly dashed as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men resoundingly won the replay 5-0, but both games live long in the memories of those Burton Albion fans lucky enough to be there and see the games.
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