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Sir Alex Ferguson has asked the Manchester United board to sanction an emotional return to Pittodrie in July to honour the Gothenburg Greats.

 

The Old Trafford team has agreed in principle to face Aberdeen in the north-east in July.

 

The testimonial game for the Dons team which won the European Cup-Winners' Cup in 1983 will be the highlight of a year of celebrations to mark the silver anniversary of the triumph over Real Madrid in Gothenburg.

 

 

 

The summer fixture must be ratified by the Manchester United directors before it can be formally confirmed.

 

The English club and the testimonial organisers both declined to comment last night but the Press andJournal understands an announcement, including a confirmed date, will be made next week if directors give their approval.

 

Ferguson has given his blessing to the game in honour of the team which upset the odds at the Ullevi Stadium in 1983 with a 2-1 win over the Spaniards courtesy of John Hewitt's dramatic late winner.

 

United's participation would guarantee a full house for the match, which will see Ferguson reunited with the players who gave him his first continental prize.

 

The imminent 25th anniversary has led the United manager to reflect on what he cites as his biggest achievement in the game.

 

Ferguson said: "When you look back I suppose it becomes bigger, because the problem of course with looking back is that Aberdeen at present are nothing like they were in that period.

 

"Scottish football first of all was pretty strong - Jim McLean at Dundee United took them to the semi-final of the European Cup and Aberdeen and Dundee United were really the strongest teams in Scotland for five years in a row.

 

"When you look back you say to yourself, 'How didI manage to beat BayernMunich who were the favourites and then beat Real Madrid in the final?'

 

"It was special becauseAberdeen was a small club. I just had two girls working for me in the office, the secretary, a couple of people were running the pools in anotheroffice, I had Archie Knox, my reserve coach and a physio-therapist and that was it."

 

The testimonial committee has been in talks with Man-chester United for months in an effort to finalise a friendly against Ferguson's current charges.

 

Proceeds from the package of events scheduled to run throughout this year will be shared between the 1983 squad after a donation has been made to the Aberdeen Football Club youth development programme.

 

The first confirmed event is a black tie gala dinner at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on May 9. The following night the same venue will host a more informal dinner for fans.

 

On May 11, the 25th anniversary of the triumph, supporters will be able to join the players for a screening of the Gothenburg final.

 

A DVD is also being produced as well as a limited run of prints by artist Dod Dow.

 

Game against Man U, a Gala dinner for the fans and a commerorative DVD. Nae too shabby, would have fancied a game against Real instead but it will be a sellout at Pittodrie anayway.

I thought JC would have timed our trip to Ireland around the 12th July!!!

 

A friendly against Linfield? 

 

That would be the worst idea in history, a couple of thousands dons running a round a bigoted rangers homeland on the 12th! 

Ah well, spose it makes up for not managing to get a T in the Park ticket.

 

Then again I still remember the Aberdeen - Liverpool game.

 

I'd rather see RATM again to be honest (saw them at big day out, were awesome) but it'll be nice seeing Aberdeen play a decent team.

As opposed to the host of shite that we've had to endure this season?

 

Did I just bite?

As opposed to the host of shite that we've had to endure this season?

 

Did I just bite?

 

Selection of Teams in the SPL:

 

Gretna

St Mirren

ICT

 

To be honest the SPL is full of shitey teams. Don't get me wrong, I would gladly watch Aberdeen play any of these, but their not on the same par as a team like Manchester United in the end. To be honest I think i'd prefer to watch Aberdeen against St Mirren in a league game than a friendly against Man U (as the league games actualy matter) but it will be a nice change to see them against a decent side that I don't hate (though in saying that I don't particularly like them either).

Yeah, I'd have to agree with you there, competitive games against top quality European sides have been thin on the ground these past nine months.

Yeah, I'd have to agree with you there, competitive games against top quality European sides have been thin on the ground these past nine months.

 

Those games have been good, and it's great seeing Aberdeen play good teams, but despite that they haven't played exclusively good teams, and if their is a game against one of the best teams in the world then I'm quite happy to go along to it and enjoy more top quality football.

 

Also, as I'm pretty skint and couldn't aford to go to any of the away games I feel like i've kinda missed out on seeing some of the teams Aberdeen have played. I just think that it'l be nice seeing Aberdeen play a team like Manchester United, as generally as an Aberdeen fan I don't get to see that.

Agreed its not great planning but nice to see the club actually using their connections. Man U are one one of the biggest teams in the world and to actually get them at pittodrie is brilliant. Well done AFC on this one.

Yea playing Man Utd reserves will rock 

 

I reckon their will be a couple of decent players playing, just like their was against Liverpool.

 

And the Man U reserves will still be much better quality than the Gretna first team.

Yea playing Man Utd reserves will rock 

 

Shrek and co will all be playing.  Not sure about Ronaldo though.

No confident playing Gretna first team nevermind a Man U reserves.

Shrek and co will all be playing.  Not sure about Ronaldo though.

 

But will they though? I'm sure last pre-season they played something daft like 3 games in different places (Dunfermline, Dublin and somewhere else i think) in one night with about 2 or 3 "known" players in each team and then an assortment of reserves/youth teamers. We might get a surprise though.

This was in the P&J:

 

Aberdeen supporters buying season tickets for next season can also purchase briefs for the Manchester United match on July 12 (one Manchester United ticket will be available per season ticket). Tickets will go on general sale on June 30, available from the Pittodrie ticket office or by calling 01224 631903. Tickets for the Main Stand, RDS and South Stands will cost £20 for adults, £10 concessions and £12 for under-8s and £15, £8 and £5 respectively for the Merkland Stand.

The place will be full of people who support Man U more than Aberdeen

 

A friendly against Glentoran has been rumoured!

 

Reckon a trip to Belfast would be a good... better than overpriced Dublin.

 

I saw in the Edinburgh papers that Hearts are playing Glentoran so that rules us out playing there too?

The place will be full of people who support Man U more than Aberdeen

 

 

Stoney? 

What does irritate me is how a team with such documented financial constraints during the transfer window always manages to transport a full squad of players and support staff for a few weeks at some sunny destination for pre-season training?

 

What is the problem with letting other sides come to us for a change at pre-season and saving a bit of cash?

A friendly against Glentoran has been rumoured!

 

Reckon a trip to Belfast would be a good... better than overpriced Dublin.

 

That would be quality! I watched Linfield vs Glentoran in April and it was 0-0 but a good old kickfest. It got a bit Madrid like after the game as well, bottle shower!

 

Also, the Glentoran keeper would do well for us.