Manchester United have had various England stars throughout the club’s long history, though many have failed to claim international success with the Three Lions.
Only the squad from the 1966 World Cup can say they have won a major trophy for their country, with United having Sir Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles and John Connelly in Sir Alf Ramsay’s squad from that famous year.
But various stars have graced both Old Trafford and Wembley since then with no avail to taking home the World Cup or the European Championships.
Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Ince – the list is endless. However, there is one star who Nottingham Forest legend Des Walker believed could have won the World Cup for England if he wasn’t injured, in the form of ‘Captain Marvel’, Bryan Robson.
Des Walker says Bryan Robson would have won England the World Cup in 1990 if he wasn’t injured
Robson boarded the plane to ‘Italia 90’ after a stop-start campaign for United where he had 20 games and two goals in all competitions.
The former West Bromwich Albion star helped England to the tournament via qualifying, scoring once on route as Bobby Robson’s men failed to concede in six games.
However, he picked up an injury in the second game of the tournament against the Netherlands, ultimately ruling him out of the rest of the tournament.
Ultimately, England infamously lost on penalties thanks to two missed spot-kicks, despite taking West Germany all the way through extra-time.
But teammate Walker, who managed 59 caps and started all seven games at the 1990 World Cup, claimed that England would have broken their 24-year trophy duck had Robson been available throughout the entire tournament.
In a clip from The Overlap with United legend Gary Neville, Walker said: “I personally, this is my personal opinion..if Bryan Robson would have stayed fit, England would have won the World Cup.
“That’s my personal [opinion]. It made that much difference to a team, and we were only a fraction short.
“[Terry] Butcher, [Stuart] Pearce, Robson, [John] Barnes, [Gary] Lineker, [Peter] Beardsley, [Chris] Waddle.
“Gazza [Paul Gascoigne] made a difference, but Gazza and Robson…he drove a game unbelievably, you know what I mean?
“If you needed a goal, he’d find you a goal as well.”
Walker wasn’t wrong. Robson scored 146 goals at club level throughout his career, and as a technically gifted midfielder, that presence in the centre of the park could have changed the trajectory of England’s summer.
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Bryan Robson was one of England’s most underrated players in history
When people talk about the best-ever players to come out of England, you would think of the likes of United stalwarts Wayne Rooney, Bobby Charlton or Paul Scholes, as well as non-United stars such as Harry Kane, Gascoigne or Alan Shearer.
Robson barely gets a mention, even though United fans know just how good he was.
Joining the Red Devils in 1981, Robson spent 13 years at Old Trafford, becoming the longest-serving captain in the club’s history.
Winning two Premier League titles, three FA Cup winners’ medals and the European Cup Winners’ Cup among others, his exploits largely go under the radar.
He was voted as United’s greatest-ever player in a poll of the club’s former players, and Robson even moved to United for a British record transfer fee in 1981.
461 appearances for the club drew 99 goals, and as well as scoring 26 goals in 90 England caps, Robson is one of the greatest United stars to ever pull on the famous white shirt.
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