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On this day: Manchester United win five-goal encounter at Hillsborough

Twenty years ago today, Manchester United win by the odd goal in five away at Sheffield Wednesday.

During the 1992-93 campaign, Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester United played out two memorable contests. They shared six goals evenly on Boxing Day, while two late goals from Steve Bruce in the return fixture sealed a 2-1 win for United and is often credited as the most crucial result on their run to the title.

It meant that when the two sides lined up against each other the following season at Hillsborough on this very day, much was expected and they didn't disappoint.

Despite both teams having created a handful of chances, neither Chris Woods nor Peter Schmeichel had their nets breached during the first half.

However, just two minutes after the restart, hosting Wednesday went in front. A quickly-taken free kick from Andy Sinton found Chris Bart-Williams, who drilled beyond the reach of Schmeichel from 20 yards out.

Champions United responded almost instantly, though, and were level in the 50th minute as Mark Hughes lifted Lee Sharpe's cross over an advancing Woods, before rolling the ball into an empty net.

The Welshman then put the away side in the lead shortly after the hour when he controlled a square pass from Eric Cantona and then fired low into Woods's goal.

Then, in the 71st minute, a move involving Paul Ince, Hughes and Cantona freed Ryan Giggs, who drew Woods out of his goal to open up the angle for him to slot in left-footed.

The Owls rallied late on and reduced the arrears four minutes from time when Mark Bright headed in a cross from Chris Waddle, but the striker's effort only proved to be a mere consolation.

The victory kept United, who had lost just one of their first 10 matches, top of the table and they would go on to end the season as champions for the second season in succession, while Trevor Francis's side finished seventh.

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Liam Apicella
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Eric Cantona in action during his Manchester United testimonial match in August 2001.
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