Rare Premier League visitors to Old Trafford

Founded in 1889, this is the Bees’ first season in England’s top flight since 1946/47. In that campaign, Manchester United’s ‘home’ games were played at Maine Road, due to wartime bomb damage at our own stadium, but the Reds still ran out 4-1 winners against Brentford in a December fixture.

Although we did entertain Thomas Frank's side in a pre-season friendly back in July, you'd have to go all the way back to April 1939 to the last league game at Old Trafford between the two sides. United were 3-0 victors on that occasion.

As the Bees’ long-awaited return beckons on Bank Holiday Monday, we take a look at other lesser-spotted visitors to the Theatre of Dreams in the Premier League era...

BLACKPOOL

Blackpool’s only visit in the Premier League era was on the last day of the 2010/11 season.

It was a notable day at both ends of the table. Already confirmed as champions, United were ready to be presented with the Premier League trophy at the end of the proceedings, while Blackpool needed three points to avoid the drop.

The Seasiders didn’t go down without fighting. Ji-sung Park’s opener was overturned as they went 2-1 ahead thanks to Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher. United’s quality was too much to handle however.

Anderson soon equalised for the Reds, before an Ian Evatt own goal gave the home side the lead. Michael Owen sealed our 4-2 victory. Despite the ensuing title celebrations, Old Trafford still gave Blackpool a standing ovation for their spirited performance.

Where are they now? After a turbulent few years, Blackpool currently find themselves 15th in the Championship, comfortably safe from relegation.

BRADFORD CITY

Bradford have graced the Old Trafford pitch on two occasions in the Premier League era, but neither of them were pretty for the Yorkshire side.

United won 4-0 on Boxing Day in 1999, with all four goals coming in the last 15 minutes. Quinton Fortune, Dwight Yorke, Cole and Roy Keane were on the scoresheet in another victory that counted towards a Premier League title won by 18 points. Bradford meanwhile secured top-flight safety on the last day of the season.

The Bantams travelled to Manchester again in a September fixture the following season and this time United delivered a 6-0 thrashing. Braces from Fortune and Teddy Sheringham were sandwiched between goals from Cole and David Beckham. The Reds retained the Premier League title at the end of that 2000/01 season, while Bradford finished bottom of the league.

Where are they now? The Bantams currently sit mid-table in League Two and are managed by United legend Mark Hughes.

CARDIFF CITY

Cardiff’s two excursions to Old Trafford have produced a win and a defeat. When managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Bluebirds suffered a 2-0 loss in January 2014, inflicted by efforts from Robin van Persie and Ashley Young.

On the flipside, Cardiff claimed a surprise 2-0 triumph in May 2019 when Solskjaer was now managing United, courtesy of a Nathaniel Mendez-Laing double. The Welsh club were relegated from the top flight in both of those seasons.

Where are they now? Cardiff are currently 19th in the 24-team Championship, but safe from the drop.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

Huddersfield have also made two expeditions to Sir Matt Busby Way and they were defeated on both occasions. Their February 2018 visit resulted in a 2-0 win for United, with Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez on the scoresheet. Huddersfield narrowly avoided the drop that season, finishing 17th.

A Boxing-Day clash in the following campaign ended 3-1 to the Reds. Nemanja Matic and a Paul Pogba brace secured victory that day, while there was a late consolation goal for the visitors from Mathias Jorgensen. The Terriers were relegated at the end of the 2018/19 season.

Where are they now? Huddersfield recently secured a Championship play-off spot, meaning they could be visiting Old Trafford again next term.

OLDHAM ATHLETIC

Oldham visited the Theatre of Dreams in the first two seasons of the Premier League. In 1992/93, a November meeting was won 3-0 by United, thanks to Mark Hughes and a Brian McClair double.

The following campaign saw a much more competitive clash, as the Reds triumphed 3-2. Ryan Giggs’ opener was cancelled out by Sean McCarthy. Two goals in two minutes by Dion Dublin and Paul Ince put United 3-1 ahead before Graeme Sharp pulled one another back for the Latics.

The Reds won the league title for the first time in 26 years in 1992/93 and retained it the following season, doubling up with the FA Cup after beating Oldham in a semi-final replay en route.

The Latics, meanwhile, narrowly avoided relegation in 1993 but succumbed to the drop in May 1994.

Where are they now? Oldham were relegated from League Two to the National League last week, making them the first team who have played in the Premier League to drop into non-league.

SWINDON TOWN

Swindon participated in a six-goal thriller at Old Trafford in the 1993/94 season, as Andrei Kanchelskis, Eric Cantona and Hughes gave United a 3-0 lead. Andy Mutch and Paul Bodin provided the Robins hope but a second strike from Hughes secured a 4-2 victory for the Reds.

United won the Premier League that season while Swindon were relegated in their one and only campaign in the top flight.

Where are they now? Swindon are currently chasing promotion from League Two, where they sit just outside the play-off spots.