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Que Sera, Sera: Manchester United Under Dave Sexton and Big Ron
In the 1980s Manchester United was the footballing byword for underachievement. Ron Atkinson's era is often dismissed as one of glorious failure as he couldn't win the prize United wanted most. Drawing on meticulous research and exclusive interviews, Wayne Barton explores a period of United history filled with big characters and big controversy.
352 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 13, 2021
My hopes for a book covering the managerial reigns of Dave Sexton and Ron Atkinson weren’t high, but it’s one of the best books on United I’ve read. It probably helps that I grew up with Atkinson’s United, so reading a thorough examination of the period feels like revisiting my childhood; I actually had several flashbacks as I read. The author goes through each season with a forensic level of detail, so that I found myself re-living disappointing cup exits (Watford, Bournemouth) as well as the general sense that United in the 80s were, on their day, a better side than the Liverpool team that consistently won the league.
(I realised, too, that for me Liverpool of this period were comparable to Thatcher’s Tory government; even when they were shit, it seemed inevitable - as well as wholly unjust - that they ended up winning)
But despite the level of detail, the writing is never dull or formulaic. It manages to offer both game-by-game commentary as well as a wider analysis of tactics and players. Supported by excerpts from newspaper articles and the manager’s columns in the match program (a nice touch, if only to remind me of when I read that sort of thing), there are also interviews conducted especially for the book, including with Atkinson himself.
So, for United fans of a particular generation I’d say this is essential reading. It’s both comprehensive and illuminating. But even if you grew up on Fergie time and Ryan Giggs flying down the wing, an understanding of how good United could be in the 80s, and yet managed to consistently throw away the title, really does show why winning that first title in 1993 felt such a momentous relief.
Plus, if you don’t know your history then you end up repeating it. This is something that the Glaziers, before Ole, failed to realise in their choice of managers since Fergie left. The parallels between van Gaal and Sexton are uncanny.
(I realised, too, that for me Liverpool of this period were comparable to Thatcher’s Tory government; even when they were shit, it seemed inevitable - as well as wholly unjust - that they ended up winning)
But despite the level of detail, the writing is never dull or formulaic. It manages to offer both game-by-game commentary as well as a wider analysis of tactics and players. Supported by excerpts from newspaper articles and the manager’s columns in the match program (a nice touch, if only to remind me of when I read that sort of thing), there are also interviews conducted especially for the book, including with Atkinson himself.
So, for United fans of a particular generation I’d say this is essential reading. It’s both comprehensive and illuminating. But even if you grew up on Fergie time and Ryan Giggs flying down the wing, an understanding of how good United could be in the 80s, and yet managed to consistently throw away the title, really does show why winning that first title in 1993 felt such a momentous relief.
Plus, if you don’t know your history then you end up repeating it. This is something that the Glaziers, before Ole, failed to realise in their choice of managers since Fergie left. The parallels between van Gaal and Sexton are uncanny.
November 24, 2020
Took me longer than I expected but that's because there was so much detail, I really enjoyed it. The book brought back childhood memories from famous FA Cup wins but also disappointments in league form. It reminded me of playing football in the the street with my mate Karl pretending I was Bryan Robson, Frank Stapleton and Norman Whiteside whilst he was his favourite Liverpool players.
This is a really good account of Manchester United Football club during the early to mid-eight's. If you are a fan of the club I definitely recommend it, I'm looking forward to reading more of Wayne's books on the club.
This is a really good account of Manchester United Football club during the early to mid-eight's. If you are a fan of the club I definitely recommend it, I'm looking forward to reading more of Wayne's books on the club.
May 29, 2021
This is a wonderfully narrated book by Wayne Barton. Combining newspaper quotes, manager and player accounts with fan opinions, this book has completely changed my perception regarding the tenures of Sexton and Atkinson. I remember this part of United's history being the plateau from which Sir Alex would take United to the moon but once I was thrown into this era by the author, I found it was as exciting a time to be a United fan as anytime after or before. A must read for a United fan.
February 17, 2023
A superb, highly-detailed book which manages to reflect on almost a decade of Manchester United's history without ever seeming laboured or "stats heavy". Wayne Barton is an authority on the club's more recent (post-1950s) history, and his knowledge and thorough research of the period shines through. He often includes personal thoughts and reflections on the people and subjects he discusses, and it's those which are perhaps of more interest to those of us who also remember the events themselves clearly!
This book is now available widely at discounted prices; if you're a football fan, you won't regret grabbing yourself a copy.
Wayne has a new book, "Eternal", a biography of tragic "Busby Babe" Duncan Edwards, which is one every Manchester United fan should be wanting to own a copy of.
This book is now available widely at discounted prices; if you're a football fan, you won't regret grabbing yourself a copy.
Wayne has a new book, "Eternal", a biography of tragic "Busby Babe" Duncan Edwards, which is one every Manchester United fan should be wanting to own a copy of.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews