That happened in January 1978 as Bob Moncur’s Carlisle played their part in a compelling FA Cup tie against the other United.

Carlisle, in 1977/78, were readjusting to life in the third tier for the first time in 13 years, having suffered two relegations in three years following their fleeting top-flight adventure in the mid-seventies.

Moncur, the Newcastle United legend, was appointed to succeed veteran boss Dick Young in 76/77 and his attempt to get the team in more competitive order was helped by the contributions of such as Billy Rafferty, the clinical striker, and key signings like goalkeeper Trevor Swinburne and big defender Ian MacDonald, as well as survivors from the First Division days like Peter Carr and Bobby Parker.

While a moderate Division Three season unfolded, the goals of Rafferty and George McVitie helped Carlisle past Stafford Rangers and Chester in the early rounds of the FA Cup. That earned the Blues a third round tie against Manchester United - the reigning cup holders.

The first game at Brunton Park attracted a 25,500 crowd as Carlisle held Man Utd to a 1-1 draw (Image: News & Star)

At a crammed Brunton Park, MacDonald’s header earned a 1-1 draw, a day of drama also tinged with regret that Carlisle had not been awarded a second-half penalty for a challenge on McVitie by future Blues manager David McCreery.

A replay at Old Trafford was the result. It would take place four days after the original tie as Carlisle had another crack at Dave Sexton’s Red Devils, with the fourth round prize of a home tie against West Bromwich Albion at stake.

Man Utd were not at their historic peak at this point, en route to a tenth-placed finish in the First Division, yet boasted players such as Sammy McIlroy, Lou Macari, Steve Coppell and Jimmy Greenhoff.

Our reporters set the scene for the big replay (Image: News & Star)

“Tonight we will find out what our lads are made of,” said manager Moncur on the eve of the replay. “They will have to grow up quickly. There should be a crowd of 50,000 inside Old Trafford, and there will be an atmosphere few of our players will have experienced before.

“I believe we can give them a real fright. It’s up to the players to believe that as well. It’s a tough assignment but we’re not going there as no-hopers.”

Dave Sexton's Manchester United faced the Blues (Image: PA)

More than 3,000 Cumbrian supporters made the trip to Manchester, where Moncur was able to name an unchanged side, winger Jim Hamilton having recovered from an injury scare. England winger Gordon Hill, dropped by Man Utd for the Brunton Park game, was reinstated by Sexton for the replay.

Moncur had identified the first ten minutes as crucial, yet the visitors, in their yellow and blue kit, were unable to survive them. Man Utd struck after just five, the hosts reviving a cleared corner and Macari catching Blues keeper Allan Ross off his line with a well-flighted shot.

Carlisle tried to rebuild, and held Man Utd off until, late in the first half, they conceded again, the Blues victim to confusion in their own box as John Lathan and MacDonald both left the ball as a cross eventually broke to Stuart Pearson, who drilled home.

The third-tier side now faced an uphill fight, yet Carlisle showed spirit after the break – and forced their way back into the tie, Mick Tait stabbing home as the Blues battled to keep a McVitie cross alive.

Carlisle's Jim Hamilton outjumps Man Utd's Sammy McIlroy (Image: News & Star)

Yet in the windy, muddy conditions, thoughts of a fairytale fightback were soon killed off. Pearson slid home his second for Man Utd and, five minutes later, Macari hooked home a Coppell cross.

The tie was now effectively settled with 15 minutes left, even though Carlisle kept going to the end and were rewarded with a late consolation, Rafferty turning home a Tait cross at the near post. It put a more respectable sheen on the scoreline and Carlisle’s efforts, the Blues bowing out with a 4-2 loss in front of a 54,156 crowd.

Afterwards, the Cumbrians were disappointed but not downhearted – yet honest enough to admit the failings that had denied them a famous cup result. “Unfortunately we made some dreadful defensive errors which made our task all the more difficult,” said full-back Carr.

MacDonald also accepted “silly mistakes” had cost the Blues, but Moncur’s players were also keen to see the benefits in their overall experience. “I think that we proved that the gap between the First and Third Divisions isn’t all that big,” reflected midfielder Phil Bonnyman.

“The [Manchester] United players probably get paid three times as much as we do, but they certainly aren’t three times as good…”

Moncur declared himself “proud” of his players and felt the game would give his team confidence for the second half of their league campaign. Not that it was all positive in that respect. Moncur also pointed out that Tait and Mike McCartney would be disciplined by the club for picking up bookings in the game – Tait for dissent and McCartney for clashing with Macari. “We have a code of rules at Brunton Park and the players know they must face the consequences if they get into trouble,” Moncur said.

Carlisle's goalscorers at Old Trafford (left to right): Mick Tait and Billy Rafferty (Image: News & Star)

Man Utd’s cup run did not go much further, Sexton’s side going out in the fourth round to West Brom. As for Carlisle, they regrouped and returned to Brunton Park with a 2-2 draw against Tranmere Rovers a few days later, a more solid second period of 1977/78 then unfolding as they climbed to a 13th-placed finish: that rare occasion at Old Trafford receding into the past from there. The clubs have since met in youth team football, and in the EFL Trophy when Man Utd’s Under-21s have visited Brunton Park – but never again, since those 1978 cup crackers, at first-team level.