Ratcliffe investment: Man United in dire need of Cantona-like spark to lift dark mood

The last time Manchester United went four games without a goal in all competitions was in November 1992. It was as big a surprise then as it is now.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had been pipped to the title the previous May and 1992/93 was supposed to be the year United pushed on. Yet after 15 games they were 10th in the table. United had scored only 14 goals while league leaders Norwich City had 27. Crystal Palace, in 21st, had scored more goals than United.

New signing Dion Dublin picked up a serious injury leaving the old faithfuls Mark Hughes and Brian McClair up front. These days, McClair is lauded wherever he goes by United fans – at least by those who recognise him. He’s a fine person, yet in November 1992 he bore the brunt of fan criticism since he was no longer a prolific goalscorer.

Before the game against Oldham Athletic, now a non-league team in England’s fifth tier, I asked fans outside the stadium what they wanted to happen. Most wanted a new striker. Others were against panic buying and called for United’s very promising class of ’92 youth team to be promoted.

But an established striker was seen as a priority. Sheffield Wednesday’s David Hirst was the favourite. Wednesday wouldn’t sell. Brian Deane, Duncan Ferguson and Dalian Atkinson were other names mentioned.

It wasn’t only in the league that United struggled. Ferguson’s team had been knocked out of Europe long before Christmas having failed to beat Torpedo Moscow over two legs in the Uefa Cup. The team went out of the League Cup too, to Aston Villa.

United fans were fuming. Increased ticket prices added to that anger and Old Trafford was struggling to sell out, despite the reduced 32,000 capacity because the Stretford End was being rebuilt.

At an Annual