How Brian McClair left future Manchester City Director Txiki Bergiristain ‘disgusted’ after the 1991 Cup Winners’ Cup final

Brian McClair 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup
(Image credit: Getty Images)

When Manchester United beat Barcelona 2-1 in the European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1991 at the Stadion Feijenoord in Rotterdam, Mark Hughes had scored both goals for the English side to hand them their first European trophy in 23 years. 

Brian McClair and Mike Phelan both played the full 90 minutes for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, but were subsequently called in by UEFA to complete a random drug test, meaning they couldn't celebrate the victory immediately afterwards like their teammates. 

Former Barcelona midfielder and current Manchester City Director Txiki Begiristain was also called in after the game, dejected after losing the final. 

Speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo, McClair describes the scene in the drug testing room, made awkward by his linguistic skills and improved by the copious amounts of alcoholic drinks provided. 

“There were several drinks on the table, including beer,” McClair tells FFT. “Txiki Begiristain and another Barcelona player were there, too. 

"They were downcast but had to sit in the same room as Mick [Phelan] and me, so I decided to knock some chat out of them with my O-Level Spanish. I’ve no idea what they were thinking as I asked them if they were Madrid or Catalonia, but my intentions were friendly. 

"I think they were disgusted and wanted to go. I was genuinely trying to be nice, though.” 

McClair provided his test. Phelan could not. 

“I left the room with Mick still trying to pee,” continues McClair. “That wasn’t a particularly socialist thing to do as his team-mate, but I thought, ‘F**k this’ – I wanted to get to the after-party in [nearby] Amsterdam. 

"That party is still the best I’ve ever attended, and I was fortunate to be involved in a number of them. We had the whole hotel to ourselves. Mick eventually turned up an hour later with his tracksuit on – he’d drunk the rest of the beer in the drug room.”

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future. 

Read more
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - MAY 15: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson holds aloft the trophy as captain Bryan Robson looks on after 1991 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup Final victory against Barcelona on May 15th, 1991 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive)
‘People say the 1990 FA Cup put Sir Alex Ferguson on the road to success, but beating Barcelona gave us the confidence to take on the best and go for league titles’: Manchester United legend pinpoints turning point under Scottish manager's tenure
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Sir Alex Ferguson with the European Cup the morning after the victory in the UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich v Manchester United at the Nou camp Stadium on 26 May, 1999 in Barcelona, Spain. Bayern Munich 1 Manchester United 2. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
'I told Fergie before the 1999 Champions League final, "They’ll suffer for the rest of their lives if they lose". He said, "F**k, I can’t tell them that… but he did"': How Sir Alex Ferguson motivated his Manchester United side in an unusual way
Mark Bosnich
‘Winning in Tokyo is very dear to my heart. The man of the match got a free car and Phil Neville ran on pretending to drive one! Ryan Giggs had it in the end’: Mark Bosnich looks back at Manchester United's 1999 Intercontinental Cup victory
Paul Gascoigne and England team-mates celebrate in the "Dentist's Chair" after the midfielder's goal against Scotland at Euro 96.
'I won that dentist’s chair challenge in Hong Kong before Euro 96 - that might be my biggest claim to fame’: England international opens up on infamous night out in Asia
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 30: Nottingham Forest captain John McGovern lifts the trophy as team mates Larry Lloyd (c) and Frank Clark (r) look on after the 1979 European Cup Final between Nottingham Forest and Malmo at the Olympic Stadium on May 30, 1979 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
‘Newcastle’s board said I was over the hill, so I left and played 108 consecutive games and won the European Cup – not a bad way to answer that accusation!’: Ex-Magpies defender reflects on career highlight after proving former side wrong
Kevin Keegan Newcastle United manager gives 'I'd love it' rant
‘Keegan’s rant wasn’t a surprise – he wore his heart on his sleeve. But you can only imagine how much Fergie enjoyed it. He knew he had Kevin really rattled’: Ex-Newcastle United star reveals squad's reaction to Keegan's 'I'd love it' speech
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed