DESPITE seeing his achievement surpassed on Sunday, Brian Flynn spoke with nothing but praise for Leeds United after they defeated bitter rivals Manchester United 1-0.
The former Leeds midfielder played over 150 times for the club between 1977 and 1982 and was the last man to score a winning goal for The Whites at Old Trafford prior to Jermaine Beckford’s brlliant winner on Sunday.
United’s visit to Manchester more than 28 years ago – and the subsequent Flynn winner – has been recalled on numerous ocassions, although the current Wales under 21 boss admits that the goal, a smart finish following a run from Car Harris late in the game, will always live long in his memory despite Beckford’s strike.
“I have been living off it for the last 28 years of my life!” joked Flynn, now 54.
“Records are there to be broken and surpassed and it has been a long time since they managed to win at Old Trafford.
“I was at the game and Leeds deserved to win the game, I was very impressed with the side and they are playing some really good stuff at the moment.
“I have watched them a few times recently and they have been in excellent form.
Winning breeds confidence and they are certainly playing well enough to get promotion.
“The support has always been there, the fans are fanatical and to see 9,000 of them celebrating at Old Trafford was superb, they have never deserted the club and they deserve the win.”
Flynn is no stranger to cup upsets having led Wrexham to victory over reigning Division One champions Arsenal in 1992, and with Leeds handed a fourth round trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur, Simon Grayson’s side will need to reproduce the performance they put in against Manchester United.
“I just said to the lads, ‘The unexpected can happen’,” Flynn said. “Leeds are going to need to perform to a similar level that they did at Old Trafford, but it is another great stage to play on.
“It is another big game for the players, but they can make names for themselves and continue a superb cup run.”
Leeds fans will be certainly be hoping Flynn is in attendance with the former Wrexham boss witnessing both the victory on Sunday and Burnley’s 1-0 triumph over Alex Ferguson’s men at Turf Moor.
Flynn, who joined Leeds from Burnley for whom he made 200 appearances, also spoke of his pleasure at seeing the Claret and Blues’ performing excellently in the Premier League.
“I saw the game against Manchester United funnily enough and they played very well,” said Flynn.
“It will be tough for Burnley to stay in the top flight unless they start to win matches away from home, but they are doing a good job at Turf Moor and it is great to see them beating established teams.”