Manchester United v Wolves, 8th January 1972

Extended Highlights of the First Division match at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Wolves on 8th January 1972.

The 1971-72 season was the first full season that the formidable partnership of Derek Dougan and John Richards were paired together and they responded with 40 league and cup goals between them. They were supported magnificently by the Wolves midfield; the inspirational leadership of Mike Bailey, the creativity of Dave Wagstaffe and Kenny Hibbitt together with the impressive goalscoring of Jim McCalliog, who ended the season with a total of 15 league and cup goals.

Wolves entered the match at Old Trafford on an impressive ten game unbeaten run, including notable victories at Molineux against eventual champions Derby County and an excellent 5-1 defeat of Arsenal. In their previous match, Wolves had defeated Newcastle United 2-0 at Molineux to leave McGarry's team in 6th position in the league, 6 points behind leaders Manchester United.

Included in United's team against Wolves were five players (Alex Stepney, Tony Dunne, David Sadler, Brian Kidd and Bobby Charlton) who had been part of Matt Busby's side that had defeated Benfica in the European Cup Final in 1968. A sixth, boyhood Wolves fan George Best, had been dropped by manager Frank O'Farrell after missing training in the preceding week. Best subsequently flew to London and spent a much-publicised weekend with the then-current Miss Great Britain Carolyn Moore. Upon his return days later, Best was fined two weeks wages. Despite his ongoing disciplinary indiscretions though, the supremely gifted Northern Irishman would still prove to be United's top scorer that season with 26 league and cup goals.

United had, at one stage, led the First Division by 10 points, but prior to their match against Wolves United's lead had been reduced to just 2 points ahead of Leeds United and Manchester City. In front of 46,781 at Old Trafford, a superb Wolves display increased the misery for O'Farrell's rapidly declining team...

Originally broadcast by Granada TV, with commentary from Gerald Sinstadt.

Approximate time of goals on YouTube footage:

08:01 Manchester United 0 Wolves 1 (Derek Dougan)
13:25 Manchester United 0 Wolves 2 (John Richards)
28:40 Manchester United 0 Wolves 3 (Jim McCalliog - Penalty)
34:40 Manchester United 1 Wolves 3 (Sammy McIlroy)