mcclair_brian
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| Name: Brian John McClair |
Nationality: Scotland |
| Position: forward |
Signing Information: Transferred from: Glasgow Celtic, 01/07/1987, £850,000 |
| Birthdate: 08-12-1963 |
Years at Club: 1987-1998 |
| Age: (61) |
Debut: 15/08/1987 v Southampton (A) 2-2 (League Division One) |
| Birthplace: Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland |
Previous clubs: Motherwell, Celtic |
| Height: 5' 9" (1.75m) |
Farewell to Manchester United: Transferred to Motherwell, 30/06/1998, £Free |
| Weight: 12st 2lbs (77.11kg) |
Passed Away: |
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Brian McClair is a former Scottish footballer best known for his time at Manchester United, where he played as a forward and midfielder during a highly successful period for the club. McClair, affectionately nicknamed “Choccy”, was a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in the late 1980s and 1990s, contributing with both goals and assists. Known for his versatility, intelligence on the ball, and clinical finishing, McClair helped Manchester United win several domestic and European trophies, becoming a fan favorite at Old Trafford.
Early Career at Motherwell and Celtic
Born in Airdrie, Scotland, McClair started his professional football career at Motherwell, where his impressive performances as a forward earned him a move to Celtic in 1983. At Celtic, McClair continued to develop into a prolific goal scorer, helping the team to win the Scottish Premier Division title and Scottish Cup.
Key Achievements at Celtic:
Scottish Premier Division Title (1985–86): McClair’s goals helped Celtic win the league, solidifying his reputation as a top Scottish forward.
Consistent Goal Scorer: McClair scored 99 goals in 145 appearances for Celtic, making him one of the most reliable goal scorers in Scottish football at the time.
Move to Manchester United (1987–1998)
In 1987, Manchester United signed McClair for £850,000, a significant fee at the time. McClair became an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, combining his goal-scoring abilities with his tactical versatility. He was equally adept at playing as a striker, attacking midfielder, or even in a deeper midfield role.
Key Achievements at Manchester United:
First Player Since George Best to Score 20 League Goals: In his debut season (1987–88), McClair became the first player since George Best to score 20 league goals in a single season for Manchester United, a feat that quickly endeared him to the United faithful.
Premier League Titles (1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97): McClair was a key figure in United’s dominance in the early Premier League era, helping the team secure four league titles. His contributions, both as a forward and midfielder, were essential to United’s success.
FA Cups (1990, 1994, 1996): McClair helped Manchester United lift the FA Cup three times, playing in several finals, including the 1994 Double-winning season where United claimed both the Premier League and FA Cup.
European Cup Winners' Cup (1991): McClair was part of the Manchester United side that won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991, defeating Barcelona in the final.
Versatility and Longevity: Over the course of 11 seasons at Manchester United, McClair made 471 appearances, scoring 127 goals and becoming one of the most versatile and dependable players in the squad. His ability to adapt to different roles allowed Ferguson to use him in various tactical setups.
Playing Style: Intelligent, Versatile, and Clinical
McClair was known for his intelligent movement, clinical finishing, and his ability to play multiple roles on the pitch. He was a goal poacher with a sharp eye for goal, capable of scoring from inside the box or with long-range efforts. His versatility also allowed him to drop into midfield and contribute defensively when needed. McClair’s work rate and team-first mentality made him a favorite of Sir Alex Ferguson, who often relied on him in key matches.
International Career with Scotland
McClair represented Scotland at the international level, earning 30 caps between 1986 and 1993. Although he didn’t achieve the same level of success internationally as he did at club level, he remained an important figure for Scotland during his playing career.
Post-Retirement and Coaching
After retiring in 1998, McClair transitioned into coaching and football development. He returned to Manchester United as a youth coach and later became the director of the club’s youth academy, overseeing the development of several young talents. He also worked as the Performance Director for the Scottish Football Association, contributing to the development of youth football in Scotland.
Legacy
Brian McClair is remembered as one of Manchester United’s most versatile and consistent players during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. His ability to score goals, combined with his tactical flexibility and longevity at Old Trafford, earned him a lasting legacy. McClair’s role in United’s domestic and European triumphs, along with his 20-goal league season, make him one of the standout players of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Summary
Brian McClair was a versatile and intelligent forward who played for Manchester United from 1987 to 1998, making 471 appearances and scoring 127 goals. Known for his ability to adapt to various positions on the pitch, McClair helped United win four Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. His consistency, goal-scoring prowess, and tactical flexibility earned him a special place in Manchester United’s history. |
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| League |
League Cup |
FA Cup |
Charity Shield |
European Cup |
Europa League |
Super Cup |
Cup Winners Cup |
Inter-Continental Cup |
World Clubs Cup |
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| No |
Season |
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Season
Goals |
Season
Apps |
| 1 |
1987-1988 |
24 |
40 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
31 |
48 |
| 2 |
1988-1989 |
10 |
38 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
48 |
| 3 |
1989-1990 |
5 |
37 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
48 |
| 4 |
1990-1991 |
13 |
36 |
2 |
9 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
58 |
| 5 |
1991-1992 |
18 |
42 |
4 |
8 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
58 |
| 6 |
1992-1993 |
9 |
42 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
50 |
| 7 |
1993-1994 |
1 |
26 |
4 |
7 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
38 |
| 8 |
1994-1995 |
5 |
40 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
53 |
| 9 |
1995-1996 |
3 |
22 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
23 |
| 10 |
1996-1997 |
0 |
19 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
| 11 |
1997-1998 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
| TOTALS |
88 |
355 |
19 |
45 |
14 |
45 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
127 |
471 |
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