Manchester United were denied the Premier League title in 1994/95.
Back in the 1990s, Manchester United were the most dominant force in English football thanks to the greatness of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson won titles in 1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99 and 1999/00 – along with multiple cup competitions.
The most agonising near-miss was in 1994/95, where United required a win at West Ham on the final day of the season to win the title.
Ferguson’s side could only manage a 1-1 draw, and Blackburn won the title despite a final day defeat to Liverpool.
The Manchester United manager was fuming at his own side with the result – and with the resilience of West Ham.
Don Hutchison reflects on 1995 drama
Don Hutchison was among the West Ham starters who held Manchester United to a draw, and he has reflected that Sir Alex Ferguson’s criticism of them was not incorrect.
The Hammers ended that season in 14th place and had won only one of the previous three games leading up to the fixture.
Commenting on X, Hutchison admitted that having the chance to have a say in the title race gave West Ham a little added motivation.
He wrote: “What a day this was. We played out of our skins to stop Man Utd winning the Lge.
“Fergie called us “a disgrace for turning up for one game that season” he was right but it’s amazing when your safe and the adrenaline of something to play for how much you can run/fight for it.”
Hutchison’s words are an insight into the past, while also a warning for Arsenal as they chase down the title with two remaining games against Burnley and Crystal Palace, who in theory have nothing to play for.
But the chance to create a piece of Premier League history could inspire the players to raise their games.
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The result changed Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson wrote in his autobiography following the draw: “I knew then that the team had reached the end of the road. It was time for a change.”
He made major changes in the summer, with Andrei Kanchelskis, Paul Ince and Mark Hughes all sold.
He put his faith in the youngsters from the academy, the famed ‘Class of 92‘, and by the end of the following season Manchester United were celebrating winning the Premier League and FA Cup Double.
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