The summer of 1997 was an uncertain one for Manchester United. At the end of the previous season, talisman Eric Cantona had surprisingly announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 30, leaving a huge void to fill in attack.
A number of strikers were linked with a move to Old Trafford, but it was somewhat of a surprise that the player Sir Alex Ferguson finally plumped for was Teddy Sheringham. The £3.5m acquisition may have scored a respectable 99 goals in five campaigns for Tottenham Hotspur, but at the age of 31, there was suggestions that his best years were behind him.
By chance, Sheringham's competitive debut for the Red Devils came against the club that he had just departed at White Hart Lane 18 years ago today.
In what was an even first half in North London, Les Ferdinand, who was leading the Spurs attack in Sheringham's absence, was the first to have an attempt on goal, but his effort was thwarted by visiting goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. Meanwhile, up the other end, Sheringham stung the palms of Ian Walker.
But, it was after the restart that the encounter came to life. With 60 minutes on the clock, Spurs defender Justin Edinburgh was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area.
Cantona had been United's penalty taker, so up stepped his replacement to a chorus of boos from the home supporters. But, those jeers soon turned to cheers as Sheringham sent his powerful low effort from 12 yards out crashing against the post, before he sent the rebound flying over the crossbar.
It looked to have been a crucial miss from a United point of view as the game headed towards a draw, but with eight minutes remaining, Ferguson's men broke the deadlock.
Sheringham's shot from distance was deflected into the path of an unmarked Nicky Butt, who had the time to steady himself and then lash his shot beyond the reach of an advancing Walker to give the champions the lead.
Then, just 60 seconds later the three points were secured for the away side. Substitute David Beckham had intended to pick out Ryan Giggs with his cross from the right flank, but although the Welshman was unable to reach the ball, it was turned into the net by Tottenham's Swiss defender Ramon Vega.
Speaking after the final whistle, United debutant Sheringham said: "Those goals were a bit of a relief. I felt confident taking the penalty and I'll take another."
Meanwhile, Spurs boss Gerry Francis added: "They are going to be the team to beat. They remind me of the Liverpool team that dominated in the '70s and '80s."
SPURS: Walker; Carr, Vega, Campbell, Edinburgh; Clemence (Sinton), Howells, Nielsen, Ginola; Ferdinand, Iversen
MAN UNITED: Schmeichel; P Neville, Johnsen, Pallister, Irwin; Cruyff, Keane, Butt, Scholes (Beckham), Giggs; Sherginham
Liam Apicella
