[Bex79]

Martin Buchan cost a record £125,000 but was worth every penny. Frank O'Farrell brought him to England from Aberdeen in March 1972 to form the cornerstone of a new United defence. By then, though still only 23, Martin had played for his country, captained his club, won a Scottish Cup medal and been voted Scottish player of the year.

For a man of quality and maturity beyond his years, United gladly paid the £125,000, and rarely have they struck a better bargain. He saw the club through the bad times of relegation and the good times of winning the 1977 FA Cup in which he was exceptional during the final versus Liverpool in United's 2-1 victory. After 1977 United were back challenging at the top of the first division again, though title glory remained elusive.

Buchan was to spend over 11 years at Old Trafford, 6 of them as captain. He played in three cup finals, eventually leaving in 1983 after injury problems cost him his first team place. For a decade the Scotsman stood alone as Manchester United's most important player. The Aberdeen man must go down as one of United's greatest captains, a cool, classy defender and a great leader.

My dad says he was the best United captain he ever saw and that he would make any United all time team. My mam says she wanted to leave Dad and marry him/Greenhoff instead after the '77 cup final.

I was 4 when he left United so its safe to say I knew nothing of his time personally at United, its all only what I've heard. Would be interesting to hear somebody else who has seen him play's views on him. Where/how do you rate the man? For me, Keano was almost like God, so its hard to imagine a better captain, but my dad insists both Buchan and Byrne were better, though not by much.