Norman Whiteside

Norman Whiteside will always be remembered for being the youngest at everything. At 17 he was the youngest United player to play for the first team since Duncan Edwards, the youngest player to score in an FA Cup Final and the youngest player ever to appear in the World Cup Finals, for Northern Ireland in 1982. Big Norman was pure class, powerful and strong, he was lethal in the air and could shoot with both power and accuracy. He was also never afraid to try something different or unexpected, making him a constant threat to opposing defences.

His strength frequently allowed him to turn defenders and steal a yard of space, for his only flaw was a lack of pace. Alex Ferguson said "If Norman had a yard more pace he would have been one of the greatest players ever produced in British football".

The Press called him "The Shankill Skinhead" for he was often a physical player who loved to get stuck in, although never overly malicious or dirty. In fact the fans loved him all the more for it, as it showed his drive and commitment. Alex Ferguson remembering a game against Arsenal in 1986, laughed "Big Norman Whiteside kicked everybody up and down the pitch for 90 minutes and didn't even get booked!" Norman made up for that though, he was a player capable of scoring goals that only the most gifted of players could score. His 1985 Cup Final winner and 1982 League Cup Final goals are prime examples of his goal scoring ability.

Born in North Belfast, Norman was spotted by United's legendary Ulster scout Bob Bishop, the man also responsible for bringing George Best and Sammy McILroy to Old Trafford. He made his United debut in the Spring of 1982 against Brighton before making history in the World Cup with Northern Ireland. It was during those finals in which Norman first became famous, as he helped the Ulstermen surprise and delight everyone by reaching the Quarter-finals. The following season United reached the 1983 League Cup final, in which he scored another "youngest ever" goal and then again month later when he scored in the FA Cup Final replay 4-0 win against Brighton.

The next few years were the high point of his career both for United and Northern Ireland. His most famous moment came in 1985 when United played the then champions Everton in the FA Cup Final. At 0-0 in extra time, reduced to ten men, United were up against it and an Everton winner seemed likely. Then, Big Norman went on a run down the right wing and curled in a superb bending shot from 20 yards to beat Everton keeper Southall. It won goal of the season and sealed undoubtedly United's greatest FA Cup Final win.

The following seasons saw Whiteside adopt a more deeper position in midfield, he would captain both United (in Robson's absence) and Northern Ireland. Sadly, injuries and suspensions saw his career take a down-turn around 1988 and Alex Ferguson began reshaping his team. An unhappy Norman did not seem to figure in the managers plans, hampered by a recurring knee injury he was sold to Everton in 1989 for £600,000. After two years with the blues the knee trouble got worse and he was forced to retire at 27. Not the sort of man for self-pity he went back to University were he built a career as a specialist in sports injuries to the feet.

Norman Whiteside still remains an all-time United hero to this day. A beacon of hope in what was a decade of under-achievement, a highly gifted player who captured the hearts and imaginations of the United fans, he is fondly remembered and appreciated for what he did at Manchester United.

Norman Whiteside will always be remembered for being the youngest at everything. At 17 he was the youngest United player to play for the first team since Duncan Edwards, the youngest player to score in an FA Cup Final and the youngest player ever to appear in the World Cup Finals, for Northern Ireland in 1982. Big Norman was pure class, powerful and strong, he was lethal in the air and could shoot with both power and accuracy. He was also never afraid to try something different or unexpected, making him a constant threat to opposing defences.

His strength frequently allowed him to turn defenders and steal a yard of space, for his only flaw was a lack of pace. Alex Ferguson said "If Norman had a yard more pace he would have been one of the greatest players ever produced in British football".

The Press called him "The Shankill Skinhead" for he was often a physical player who loved to get stuck in, although never overly malicious or dirty. In fact the fans loved him all the more for it, as it showed his drive and commitment. Alex Ferguson remembering a game against Arsenal in 1986, laughed "Big Norman Whiteside kicked everybody up and down the pitch for 90 minutes and didn't even get booked!" Norman made up for that though, he was a player capable of scoring goals that only the most gifted of players could score. His 1985 Cup Final winner and 1982 League Cup Final goals are prime examples of his goal scoring ability.

Born in North Belfast, Norman was spotted by United's legendary Ulster scout Bob Bishop, the man also responsible for bringing George Best and Sammy McILroy to Old Trafford. He made his United debut in the Spring of 1982 against Brighton before making history in the World Cup with Northern Ireland. It was during those finals in which Norman first became famous, as he helped the Ulstermen surprise and delight everyone by reaching the Quarter-finals. The following season United reached the 1983 League Cup final, in which he scored another "youngest ever" goal and then again month later when he scored in the FA Cup Final replay 4-0 win against Brighton.

The next few years were the high point of his career both for United and Northern Ireland. His most famous moment came in 1985 when United played the then champions Everton in the FA Cup Final. At 0-0 in extra time, reduced to ten men, United were up against it and an Everton winner seemed likely. Then, Big Norman went on a run down the right wing and curled in a superb bending shot from 20 yards to beat Everton keeper Southall. It won goal of the season and sealed undoubtedly United's greatest FA Cup Final win.

The following seasons saw Whiteside adopt a more deeper position in midfield, he would captain both United (in Robson's absence) and Northern Ireland. Sadly, injuries and suspensions saw his career take a down-turn around 1988 and Alex Ferguson began reshaping his team. An unhappy Norman did not seem to figure in the managers plans, hampered by a recurring knee injury he was sold to Everton in 1989 for £600,000. After two years with the blues the knee trouble got worse and he was forced to retire at 27. Not the sort of man for self-pity he went back to University were he built a career as a specialist in sports injuries to the feet.

Norman Whiteside still remains an all-time United hero to this day. A beacon of hope in what was a decade of under-achievement, a highly gifted player who captured the hearts and imaginations of the United fans, he is fondly remembered and appreciated for what he did at Manchester United.