Arthur Albiston

Albiston joined Manchester United as an apprentice in July 1972, turning professional in July 1974. He made his debut in a League Cup Third Round match against local rivals Manchester City in 1974. He made 485 appearances in 14 years, playing at left back, and scored six goals. He helped the club win the FA Cup in 1977, 1983 and 1985. Albiston left Manchester United in August 1988 for West Bromwich Albion, managed by ex-Red Devils boss Ron Atkinson, on a free transfer. By the time of his departure from Old Trafford he was the longest-serving player at the squad and the only player remaining from the Tommy Docherty era. Albiston was also the earliest-debuting player to appear for Manchester United under Alex Ferguson, beginning a 51-year period in which the club always had in its squad a player who would appear or had appeared under Ferguson, which only came to an end with the retirement of Jonny Evans in May 2025. Albiston made his Albion debut in a league match away at Leicester City early in the 1988–89 season, and went on to make 47 appearances and score two goals that season, after which he returned to his homeland to sign for Dundee, and went on to play for Chesterfield, Chester City, Molde in Norway and Ayr United. He retired from senior football in 1994. In his professional career, he made 464 appearances and scored seven goals. He also later joined non-League sides Sittingbourne, Witton Albion and Droylsden. Albiston also earned 14 caps for Scotland, making his debut…

As a player

Manchester United

Football League Second Division: 1974–75 FA Cup: 1976–77, 1982–83, 1984–85; runner-up: 1978–79 FA Charity Shield: 1977 (shared), 1983