Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Martin McLean Buchan | ||
Date of birth | 6 March 1949 | ||
Place of birth | Aberdeen, Scotland | ||
Playing position | Centre-back | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1965–1972 | Aberdeen | 134 | (9) |
1967 | → Washington Whips (guest) | 8 | (1) |
1972–1983 | Manchester United | 456 | (4) |
1983–1985 | Oldham Athletic | 28 | (0) |
Total | 626 | (14) | |
National team | |||
1971–1978 | Scotland | 34 | (0) |
Teams managed | |||
1985 | Burnley | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
Martin McLean Buchan (born 6 March 1949 in Aberdeen) is a Scottish former footballer. Buchan was a central defender for Manchester United in 1972–1983, and captained the late 1970s teams for six years. He was signed from Aberdeen by Manchester United manager Frank O'Farrell on 29 February 1972 for £120,000, and at the time was the club's record signing.
Buchan's first game for United came on 4 March 1972 against Tottenham in the First Division. He was unable to prevent United from suffering relegation to the Second Division in 1973–74, his first season as club captain following the retirement of Bobby Charlton. However, United bounced back at the first attempt as Second Division champions.
He helped United win the 1977 FA Cup Final against Liverpool, which they won 2–1. He also helped them reach another final in 1979, where they lost 3–2 to Arsenal. He was in the team for the 1982–83 season when they reached another FA Cup final, beating Brighton 4–0 in the replay after a 2–2 draw, but did not make the team for the final.
He left the club in August 1983 after injuries caught up with him, signing for Oldham Athletic on a free transfer. He had played in 456 games, scoring 4 goals, one of which was a superb, yet somewhat uncharacteristic, long-range drive against Everton.