OT100 #20: United go on

for those conspicuous by their absence, a unique electricity filled the misty air. Galvanised by the atmosphere and the chance to play for the memory of their fallen colleagues, a virtually unrecognisable United team put in the most heroic shift; 11 giants sweating for the cause.

Teenage right-back Brennan started on the left wing, and opened the scoring on 27 minutes when Wednesday goalkeeper Brian Ryalls totally misjudged the Irishman's inswinging corner, allowing the ball to sail in. After the break, Brennan fired home his second after Pearson's shot had been parried, and Alex Dawson scored five minutes from the end to seal progress after a monumental effort from 'Murphy's Marvels'. Wednesday's Albert Quixall, who would later join United, recalled: "I don't think anyone who played in the game or watched it will ever forget that night. United ran their hearts out, and no matter how well we had played they would have beaten us. They were men inspired. We were playing more than just 11 players; we were playing 60,000 fans as well."

The Aftermath: United couldn't summon the consistency to mount a challenge for a third successive league title, but embarked on the most romantic of journeys through the rounds of the FA Cup. After Wednesday, West Brom were ousted after a replay. Second division Fulham