The Lost Tapes Extra: Knighton 1989

03/03/25 • 35 min

"Manchester United has been subject to numerous takeover attempts in its rich and controversial history. In the early 1980s, Robert Maxwell chanced his arm, so too did Rupert Murdoch with BSkyB in 1998. We all know about the Glazer family's seizing of control in 2005 and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's recent acquisition of a minor but controlling share. Still, perhaps the most infamous of all remains Michael Knighton's fascinating attempt to buy Manchester United in the summer of 1989."

In this episode Ed and Wayne discuss the story behind Michael Knighton's attempt to buy United in 1989. It's a wild story with some amazing original audio in the sister episode in this series.

00:00 Introduction to Michael Knighton's Takeover

02:00 Memories and Reactions

03:58 Knighton's Background and United's Financial Struggles

06:03 The Bizarre Publicity Stunt

07:31 The Financial Promises and Player Signings

10:11 The Collapse of the Deal

12:00 The Aftermath and Knighton's Legacy

22:10 Other Takeover Attempts in United's History

28:25 Reflections on Ownership and Conclusion

The Lost Tapes is written by Wayne Barton. Narrated by Patrick Barclay. Produced by Ed Barker, Studio 1878.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Ed and Wayne discuss the story behind Michael Knighton's attempt to buy United in 1989. It's a wild story with some amazing original audio in the sister episode in this series.

00:00 Introduction to Michael Knighton's Takeover

02:00 Memories and Reactions

03:58 Knighton's Background and United's Financial Struggles

06:03 The Bizarre Publicity Stunt

07:31 The Financial Promises and Player Signings

10:11 The Collapse of the Deal

12:00 The Aftermath and Knighton's Legacy

22:10 Other Takeover Attempts in United's History

28:25 Reflections on Ownership and Conclusion

The Lost Tapes is written by Wayne Barton. Narrated by Patrick Barclay. Produced by Ed Barker, Studio 1878.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The Lost Tapes Extra: Bitter Rivals

Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Bitter Rivals

"English football has always had its rivalries. Where there's a champion, there's a challenger. With over a century of history, it had rarely been the case that two of the most successful teams were competing at the same time, and that was the case towards the end of the 20th century. Manchester United and Arsenal competed against each other for a generation, it was under Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger when competition became an interchangeable."

In this episode of the Lost Tapes Extra, Ed and Wayne delve into the intense football rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United during the late 1990s and early 2000s. They discuss memorable matches, key moments, and iconic figures such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger. The conversation covers the highs and lows of both clubs, from the dramatic FA Cup semi-final in 1999 to the Battle of the Buffet in 2004, and culminates in the legacy left by this period of fierce competition. Through personal anecdotes and historical analysis, the episode provides a comprehensive look at one of English football's most storied rivalries.

The Lost Tapes is written by Wayne Barton. Narrated by Patrick Barclay. Produced by Ed Barker, Studio 1878.

00:00 Introduction and Host Banter

00:55 Arsenal vs United Rivalry: The Late 90s and Early 2000s

03:14 Memorable Moments and Key Players

06:29 The 1990 Brawl and Its Aftermath

13:53 The Rise of Arsene Wenger

20:54 The 1998-99 Season: A Historic Rivalry

24:17 The Peak of Rivalry: United vs Arsenal

25:44 Memorable Moments: Beckham's Goal and More

27:26 The Best Game: A Timeless Classic

28:24 Arsenal's Resilience and United's Confidence

34:49 The Battle of the Buffet: Arsenal's Unbeaten Run Ends