The enmity between Manchester United and Leeds United may very well stem from the War of the Roses, but in football terms, the rivalry between the Roses began in the 1960s, when Leeds United was led by Don Revie and Manchester. United by Sir Matt Busby.
Kilbirnie-born Gordon McQueen began his football career at St. Mirren, who signed him at age 18. Impressed by the young worker, Leeds United manager Don Revie finally lured him to the Yorkshire high-flying club for £ 30,000 in 1973. The Scottish plug quickly managed to establish himself in the first team on Elland Road and was a regular member of the talented Leeds United who won the league championship in 1974. However, following Revie’s departure to lead the England team, Leeds were on the wane and hatred among the Elland Road players began to erupt.
Brought to Manchester Utd by new manager Dave Sexton for £ 495,000 in February 1978, the Scottish international became one of the first known Leeds United players to sign for the Lancashire club. At Old Trafford, Gordon McQueen joined former Elland Road teammate Joe Jordan, who had made the switch from Leeds United to Manchester United just weeks earlier. Clearly, Leeds United selling two of their biggest stars to old rivals Manchester United was not well received by the Elland Road faithful. Incurring the ire of Leeds supporters, the two players were booed every time they performed against their former club.
While at Old Trafford, Gordon McQueen helped Manchester Utd win the FA Cup final in 1983 after a replay against Brighton and Hove Albion. A badass and badass player, McQueen went on to make a total of 184 first-class appearances for the Reds. The blond giant remained at United until 1985 when he finally announced his retirement from the game due to lingering injuries.
Eventually entering football management, he assumed command of the Scottish club Airdrieoninans in 1987. Known for his brilliance in the air, Gordon McQueen won 30 caps for his native country after making his first appearance for Scotland against Belgium. in 1974.
“But Manchester United is Manchester United. They are the bigger of the two clubs, and they always will be. Even going from a place like Leeds, with all their known names, he noticed a huge difference. Manchester United were not the best. , but they were the biggest. ” Gordon McQueen quote.