CHERRIES’ comeback win at QPR yesterday highlighted the magic of the FA Cup, Andoni Iraola’s side coming back from the dead at 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Loftus Road.

The turnaround meant Cherries avoided what surely would have been labelled a cupset, a midtable Premier League outfit losing to a side in the relegation zone of the Championship.

There was no shock in west London, but 40 years ago today, one of the biggest surprises in the history of the competition occurred at Dean Court.

Holders of the competition, Manchester United arrived second in the top-division, locked in a title fight with fierce rivals Liverpool.

In contrast, Cherries were fourth bottom in the third tier, Harry Redknapp well aware that his side were in a relegation battle.

Cherries had negotiated safe passage through the first two rounds of the competition, defeating Third Division rivals Walsall in the first round before avoiding an upset of their own against non-league Windsor & Eton.

A 0-0 draw at home necessitated a replay, with both teams heading into the second match knowing that a mouth-watering tie with Manchester United awaited.

Cherries held their nerve to win 2-0 away from home, John Beck and Ian Thompson on the scoresheet.

Despite the contrast in form and stature heading into the game, Cherries looked confident and in control throughout.

In a report from the Evening Echo on Monday, January 9 reporter Colin Smith remarked: “What a superb sight it turned out to be as the home team took the play to their illustrious opponents and established a grip on the game which was seldom in danger of being broken. Bournemouth bubbled while United toiled – and were troubled.

“They say the Cup is a great leveller. But it was not the case this time, because the home side outclassed their opposition.”

This was not a rotated United side either. The legendary Bryan Robson captained the side, with fellow England international Ray Wilkins joining him in midfield.

But there was nothing they could do to stop a Cherries side up for the cup.

Pre-match preparations were changed for the game, a team meal on Friday night switched to La Lupa 2 in Charminster.

Whilst in control of proceedings, it took Cherries an hour to find the breakthrough. Milton Graham popped up to break the deadlock.

Two minutes later Thompson had sealed the result, with Cherries seeing out the remaining half-hour or so with little issue.

Not only were Manchester United defending champions of the competition, but they were in the middle of an unbeaten league run that would span 16 games from December to March.

The next team to beat Atkinson’s Reds? Spanish giants Barcelona, in the Cup Winners’ Cup, another 2-0 win at the Nou Camp led by Diego Maradona.

Although these days Cherries now share a league with the Red Devils and anticipate at least two meetings a season with Manchester United, for a brief spell in the 80s the two kept being drawn together in cup competitions despite operating in contrasting footballing circles.

The season before Cherries had been knocked out of the League Cup on aggregate by United, and in 1985, the two sides were paired once again in the FA Cup third round.

This time Cherries travelled to Manchester, losing 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Another meeting at the end of the decade followed, when in 1989 Manchester United required a replay to defeat Cherries 1-0 at Old Trafford after a 1-1 draw on the south coast.

It would not be until the 21st century that the two sides would meet again, this time at the top of English football.

Cherries ended up 2-1 winners at Dean Court in the first Premier League meeting between the two sides in December 2015.

CHERRIES 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 0 - FA CUP THIRD ROUND

Saturday, January 7 1984.

Goals: Graham 60, Thompson 62.

Cherries: Leigh, La Ronde, Sulley, Savage, Brown, Brignull, Train, Nightingale, Morgan, Graham, Thompson.

Unused sub: Carter.

Manchester United: Bailey, Moses, Albiston (Macari h-t), Wilkins, Hogg, Duxbury, Robson, Muhren, Stapleton, Whiteside, A Graham.