Luton’s chief recruitment officer scored a header in the last league meeting between the sides in April 1992 — a 1-1 draw — not long after Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him for the Red Devils.
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Ferguson regretted not taking the hardman — who had two spells with the Hatters — to Old Trafford as Leeds went on to win the First Division title 32 years ago.
Fergie felt Harford could have been the difference in United’s bid to end their long wait, dating back to 1967, for a league crown.
Harford, who also netted the last time Luton beat today’s opponents in 1987, looks back with pride as United arrive in Bedfordshire for their Premier League clash.
Of his 1992 goal, he recalled: “David Preece was a fantastic player and had pinpoint accuracy. It was me and Denis Irwin at the far post.
“I got over and above him, it hit the angle of the bar, came back and I was the first to react.
“Peter Schmeichel was still on the floor, so great memories against United.”
Harford, who has had a 40-year association with Luton since he joined from Birmingham in 1984, says his favourite position to score goals was at the back post.
And he bagged a trademark strike against United in March 1987 when goals from the twice-capped England star and Brian Stein sealed a famous 2-1 victory as Luton ended up seventh in the First Division — the highest finish in the club’s history.
Harford (right) struck early — he was involved twice in the move before popping up to volley in Peter Nicholas’ cross.
The former striker added: “Scoring against Manchester United is always something you remember.
“They had world-class players like Bryan Robson and Norman Whiteside. But you don’t score goals without great team-mates and we also had some magnificent players.
“I would try to hold the ball up, set up play and get into the box. And my favourite position was pulling away at the far post.”
It was during Harford’s second spell at Kenilworth Road that Ferguson tried to sign him.
Harford said: “I wasn’t aware of anything! If I’d had an agent or it had been now, I would have done.
“The first I knew was when Sir Alex put it in his book.”
Luton’s draw with United helped their hopes of staying in the top flight. But a final-day defeat at already-relegated Notts County sent the Hatters down.
Harford said: “That was a cruel day. For us to go down and the Premier League to start the following season, was a massive blow.”
Luton’s Championship play-off final penalty shootout against Coventry last May sealed their return to the big time.
Harford has seen it all as caretaker boss and in many other roles, across FOUR separate stints since 2001.
Promotion, Football League Trophy success, a 30-point deduction, relegation to the National League — and then the fairytale comeback that ended with promotion to the Prem.
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Harford, chief recruitment officer since 2016, said: “I’m so proud.
“Everyone has made a magnificent contribution, from the cleaning ladies to the manager to the board and chief executive.
“It’s been a fantastic journey. It’s a challenge that we’ve been thrown and that we are really cherishing.”
Luton’s amazing story already had plenty of neutrals rooting for them to stay up but then captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest in their Prem game at Bournemouth on December 16.
Harford said: “It was a terrible incident. We think of Tom every day. It’s always great to see him, he’s coming on great.
“Maybe we do get a little bit of sympathy from the outside public.
“But we are a good club and have the ammunition to give it a right good go.”
Harford, 65, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021.
Following radiotherapy treatment, he is now off medication as his condition continues to be monitored.
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After everything Harford and Luton have been through, his hard-as- nails reputation belongs in the past.
Harford said: “I’ve totally mellowed down the years. I’m very emotional. I cry when I watch Forrest Gump on the TV!
“This is a special club. It would mean everything to me and everyone here to stay in the Premier League.”
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