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Harry Redknapp told his players Man Utd’s stars were ‘in bar’ to inspire FA Cup shock
Harry Redknapp told his players Man Utd's stars were 'in bar' to inspire FA Cup shock,Legendary Bournemouth manager Harry Redknapp guided the club to a memorable FA Cup giant-killing victory over Manchester United after delivering an inspiring pep-talk

Harry Redknapp told his players Man Utd’s stars were ‘in bar’ to inspire FA Cup shock

Harry Redknapp told his players that Manchester United's stars were "in the bar" to inspire a famous FA Cup shock.

The former Bournemouth manager oversaw the Cherries' giant-killing victory over United in the third round back in 1984 after inspiring his players with a rousing pre-match pep-talk. Goals from Milton Graham and Ian Thompson helped fire Bournemouth to a 2-0 victory over the Red Devils, whose line-up including then England captain Bryan Robson.

Ahead of the match, Redknapp had told his players that the United team were watching horse racing in the bar with just 20 minutes to go until kick-off.

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Former defender Phil Brignull recalled the incident in 2015, telling the Express: “Harry played a bit of a trick. He came in about 20 minutes before the game and told us all the United players were still in the bar watching the racing and that’s how seriously they were taking it.

“It probably wasn’t true, he just wanted to get us wound up, but we always felt we had a proper chance and on the day we fully deserved to win. There was no fluke about it, it was a proper win.

“We played really well and they just didn’t settle. I don’t remember them having an effort on goal until we were 2-0 up. It was an odd game.”

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Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp's trick helped Bournemouth to beat Manchester United

Redknapp's tactic worked as his side went on to book their place in the fourth round for the first time since 1960 by dumping out the defending FA Cup champions.

The then Third Division side were rewarded for their famous win with a trip to Middlesbrough in the next round, where they were beaten.

Redknapp left Bournemouth in 1992 after nine years in the dugout but returned as an advisor in 2021 and remains in the role to this day.

Bournemouth
Bournemouth beat the defending champions 2-0 in 1984 (Image: Daily Mirror)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Harry Redknapp manager of Birmingham City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers at St Andrews (stadium) on August 15, 2017 in Birmingham, England.
Harry Redknapp has endless iconic stories from his football days (Image: Getty Images)

He has since pulled off two more FA Cup upsets against United, beating them with West Ham United and Portsmouth in 2001 and 2008, respectively.

The quarter-final victory with Portsmouth in 2008 came on route to winning the competition later that season, beating Cardiff City in the final at Wembley.

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