Arthur Albiston recalls Man Utd facing St Etienne in Plymouth

Former Manchester United defender Arthur Albiston has recalled the evening he played against St Etienne in the European Cup Winners' Cup - in a match held in Devon.

The 59-year-old Scot, who collected three FA Cup winners' medals during his time at United, was a member of the starting XI which met the French club in the first round of the now-defunct competition 40 years ago.

The first leg was drawn 1-1 but, because of crowd trouble during the match in the small town in south-central France, the return fixture had to be staged more than 200 miles from Old Trafford.

After much debate, the game was played at Plymouth Argyle, around 275 miles from United's ground and Albiston told the club's website: "Home Park was packed to the rafters.

"They were all United fans, about 35,000 or 36,000 of them, I think.

"We had to play over 200 miles away from Manchester and the authorities felt Celtic Park in Glasgow would've been too much like a home game.

"When you're younger, you don't think about it but, looking back now, it was a little strange to play a Manchester United home game at Plymouth.

"We were penalised for the trouble in the away leg but managed to get through. We beat a good St Etienne side 2-0."

A first-half goal by Stuart Pearson, and a second from Steve Coppell just after the hour mark, sent United through to the next round where they were beaten by Portuguese club Porto.

St Etienne, who 16 months earlier had lost in the final of the European Cup, will finally get the opportunity to grace Old Trafford this week when the teams meet in the Europa League on Thursday.

Albiston explained that the teams met again in a friendly later that season, in a contest staged in Paris.

We had to play over 200 miles away and the authorities felt Celtic in Glasgow would've been too much like a home game

He added: "We went back to play St Etienne a week before Christmas as a goodwill gesture and that was a good game.

"I think it ended in a draw. It was nice to play on the pitch at the Parc des Princes."

United team v St Etienne at Home Park (October 5, 1977): Alex Stepney, Jimmy Nicholl, Arthur Albiston, Sammy McIlroy, Brian Greenhoff, Martin Buchan, Steve Coppell, Jimmy Greenhoff, Stuart Pearson, Lou Macari, Gordon Hill. Sub: Chris McGrath (for Pearson). Attendance: 31,634.