McGrath was at United for a couple of seasons before he really began to command a regular place in their first team. In February 1985, at the age of 25 years, Paul McGrath made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland - coming on as a substitute for Mark Lawrenson in the 2-1 defeat against Italy. Later that season, he was voted the man of the match in Manchester United's FA Cup Final victory over Everton.
McGrath during Ireland's Second-round match against Romania in Italia '90.
When Jack Charlton was appointed as the new Republic of Ireland manager in February 1986, McGrath found himself being given a pivotal role in the Irish side. Whereas before he was a fringe player who had previously made the odd appearance in a few friendlies, Charlton wanted McGrath to become an 'anchor man' in front of the Irish defence. Charlton saw the qualities that McGrath possessed - quick, strong, good in the air, good passing, outstanding footballing brain, and calm under pressure. This switch was one of the reasons why Ireland performed so well in the European Championships in 1988. McGrath was voted Ireland's player of the tournament after they returned from West Germany after he delivered two outstanding performances against the English and the Dutch (he was injured for the match against the USSR!)
In terms of his achievements as a player at Manchester United, McGrath had a similarly impressive record. He was voted runner up to Gary Lineker in the PFA's Player of the Year award for 1986, as well as winning an FA Cup winners medal in 1985.
McGrath scores against Latvia in 1993 and is congratulated by Roy Keane and John Aldridge.
Paul McGrath's relationship with Alex Ferguson was a rocky one. He was even fined by the FA for criticising Ferguson at one point! Ultimately, the breakdown in relations between player and manager - combined with his knee problems (experts at the time believed that McGrath would not be able to play for very much longer) - led to him being transferred to Aston Villa in 1989 for £450,000.
However, McGrath's knees were to miraculously let him continue playing football for another seven years and his performances both for Aston Villa and for Ireland got better as he got older! Indeed in 1993 he finally won the PFA Player of the Year award, helping Aston Villa reach second place in the English Premier League in the process. In 1994 he won the League Cup with Aston Villa and he won it again with the Birmingham side in 1996.
Paul McGrath in charge against Norway at the 1994 World Cup Finals.
McGrath's finest moment for the Republic of Ireland was during the 1994 World Cup group match against Italy. Up against the Italian superstar, Roberto Baggio, McGrath gave a performance that surely ranks alongside the finest of any Irish player; his immaculate display against the Italians laid the foundations for Ireland's famous 1-0 victory. McGrath continued to play for Ireland until 1997 when they disappointingly lost to Holland in a playoff at Liverpool for a place in the finals of Euro '96. However, by this time he had already assured himself the status of a legend: PFA Player of the Year Runner up in 1986; Football Writers' Footballer of the Year Runner up in 1992 and 1993; PFA Player of the Year in 1993; Aston Villa Player of the Year 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993; FAI Player of the Year in 1990 and 1991; Ireland's 'Player of the Tournament' for Euro '88 and Italia '90;
For many, Paul McGrath is simply the greatest player of all time to have worn the green Irish jersey. Certainly if you were to compile a list of the greatest Irish players ever, his name would be one of the first to go onto it. Paul McGrath won a total of 83 caps for the Republic of Ireland and scored eight goals during that time.
