Maine Road Manchester
31 March 1979
Attendance 52,584
Attendance 52,584
"The most glamorous semi-final ever", according to Peter Swales, Chairman of host club, Manchester City, in the match programme where Martin Buchan was also quoted as saying "Liverpool are what team-work is about", while Emlyn Hughes felt United were "playing as well as any side in the country". Most pundits predicted a Liverpool victory, emphasising their vast experience and seemingly neglecting the fact seven of United's line-up had been in at least one of their two recent Wembley sides whilst McQueen and Jordan could scarcely be called 'rookies'. Only 'keeper Bailey and substitute Ritchie qualified for such a description and the latter must have been encouraged by a hat-trick against Leeds United just seven days previously.