Bryan Robson and Gary Pallister recall brutal FA Cup final with Crystal Palace

We spoke recently with Coppell, still a favourite of United fans for his wonderful service on the wing for the Reds, and asked whether it was a deliberate tactic to be more physical in the replay.

“We got accused of being the dirty team,” he admitted. “But I think, if you reference that game, the number of fouls were fairly even and, you know, I did have a look at some of the challenges. You don’t expect Robbo, Mark Hughes, Gary Pallister and Steve Bruce to be shrinking violets, when it comes to a physical confrontation.

“So I think we were wrongly accused of being the perpetrators. But United had more possession, more of the ball. They were better than us, man for man, but, collectively, we had a real go.

“Yes, it wasn’t as good a game. It was very, very very tetchy. There were some dodgy, very committed tackles going in.”