I've heard top top England players say that Robson was such a great that you knew when he walked into a dressing room without having to look up, such was his presence. That was entirely down to his leadership and performance on the pitch. He wasn't an intimidating personality like a Roy Keane or John Terry. He intimidated by being better than everyone on the pitch. As good and hard a tackler as there was, great passer, great finisher, great header of the ball, energy, stamina and he played for the team. Many England internationals have said England would have won Trophies but for his injuries, which were all down to his giving 100% commitment on the pitch. Certainly Maradona doesn't go past Robson like he went past Peter Reid and the rest in that 1986 QF.
Robson signed for Utd in 1981 and was in his pomp for a decade, a decade dominated by Liverpool in terms of League and European cups. Yet the games between Liverpool were always close. In fact in the 22 games the played against one another in that decade from 1981/82 to 1990/91, after which it's probably fair to say Man Utd became dominant and Liverpool faded away, 11 were draws, Liverpool won 4 and Utd 7.
These games were midfield battles.
Scanning through the midfielders Robson played with in that period, it's a good list.
Remi Moses, Lou Macari, Ray Wilkins, Steve Coppell. Arnold Muhren came along, Norman Whiteside, Jesper Olsen, Gordon Strachan, Russell Beardsmore, Lee Sharpe, Paul Ince, Mike Phelan, Neil Webb and Giggs and Kanchelskis in 1990/91.
However, the Liverpool midfields in that period were
Souness, McDermott, Sammy Lee, Craig Johnston, Ronnie Whelan - (Kevin Sheedy couldn't get a game ffs!), John Wark, Jan Molby, Steve Nicol, Steve MacMahon, Nigel Spackman, Ray Houghton, John Barnes, Steve McManaman, Don Hutchison, Jamie Rednapp, Mike Marsh.
The Liverpool midfield is light years ahead, every year, of the Man Utd one, except for one thing, Bryan Robson.
