Gary Pallister OBE

Gary is probably most noted for his nine-year tenure at Manchester United from 1989 until 1998. He was also capped 22 times by England between 1988 and 1996.

His footballing career started at Billingham Town, but at the age of 19, he joined his boyhood team Middlesbrough as a defender, making 156 League appearances over nearly five seasons, sandwiching a loan spell to Darlington during the first season, before he moved to Manchester United on 29 August 1989 for a then British record of £2.3 million.

Amongst the most important achievements with the club was his part in the victory in the UEFA Cup Winners´ Cup final in which Manchester United participated, winning 2–1 over Barcelona.

Although it was his excellent defensive displays that helped Manchester United to the league title along with Steve Bruce at the heart of the defence, forming one of the best central defensive partnerships in the club´s history, in the 1992–93 season, he scored a memorable goal in the final home game of the season against Blackburn Rovers.

Into stoppage time, with his team winning 2–1, he stepped up to drive a free-kick into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area. It was his first goal of the season and just about summed up an incredible season for Manchester United.

The final season Gary played for Manchester United was the 1997–98 season in which Manchester United came second in the league table, losing by one point to Arsenal. During his time at Manchester United, Gary won three FA Cups, four Premier League titles, one League Cup and one Cup Winners' Cup.

Transferred back to Middlesbrough for his three final playing years, he scored one goal in 55 League appearances, as well as appearing in two FA Cup matches and four League Cup matches. His final playing season, in which Middlesbrough finished 14th in the table, was season 2000–01. He made 209 League appearances for Boro in total scoring eight goals.

He has since become a regular TV football pundit, where his laid back demeanour brings a living room style of punditry to our screens.

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