When you have so much money as a professional footballer, the concept of Christmas presents might be a bit hard to brainstorm - which might explain why the Christmas wishlist at Manchester United in the early 90s was so unusual.
Social media users have been sharing stills from a 1992 match programme from Old Trafford, which quizzed the first team squad at United on what they would like for Christmas.
Some took it seriously, with wishes for expensive cars or trips away, while others had personal wishes in mind. Some, on the other hand, appeared totally lost for ideas, and threw down shouts as ridiculous as a Big Mac meal from McDonalds.
The array of names on the list is also quite something, and it reads almost as a kind of time capsule.
Manchester United players had some bizarre Christmas wishes in 1992
Manchester United were on the verge of returning to the top of the English game at Christmas 1992. Later that season, they would win a first English league title in 26 years, but none of their players were wishing for Premier League success on their Christmas lists.
United Review, the official matchday programme at Old Trafford, quizzed the players on what they were hoping to find under the tree on Christmas Day - and the gathering of wishes is rather eclectic.
The 1992 Manchester United team when asked what they wanted for Christmas. pic.twitter.com/OAxfSy3Rif
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Corkman Denis Irwin wanted some relaxing time at home, wishing for a week of golf in the West of Ireland. Several other players were in the mood for trips abroad, with Clayton Blackmore dreaming of a skiing holiday in Austria, and Russel Beardsmore wishing for a cruise in the Mediterranean. Peter Schmeichel, on the other hand, simply wanted ten days off.
Some of the "ideal Christmas gift" selections were a bit more personal. Injury ridden Dion Dublin wanted a potion that could cure any footballing ailment instantly, while Fraser Digby wanted a portable telephone so his wife could contact him when he was on loan.
Alex Ferguson's son Darren simply wanted to be match fit again, while Mike Phelan dreamt of scoring a goal at Old Trafford. Phelan would have his wish granted just two weeks after Christmas, scoring in an FA Cup game at home against Bury.
Manchester United's centre back partnership of Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister had rather contrasting wishes. Bruce wished for a Cambridge Diet Plan, while Pallister wanted to be "let loose in Thornton's Toffee Shop". Poor Mark Hughes wished for a miracle cure for greying hair - safe to say that "Sparky" didn't get his wish.
Mark Hughes during his time in charge of Manchester City (Photo: Shutterstock)
Many of the wishes were transport-related, with both Ryan Giggs (a BMW convertible) and Lee Sharpe (Lotus Espirit) wishing for new cars. Danny Wallace clearly fancied himself as a pilot, as he put forward a request to take command of the iconic Concorde plane. Paul Parker wanted to be able to change his car as often as Mark Hughes seemingly did.
We've left our favourites until last. Eric Cantona's wish is about as typical Cantona as you could imagine - ever the philosopher, Cantona had "the hope that everybody receives the present of their choice."
Meanwhile Paul Ince, who fell out of favour with United fans in the mid-90s due to his move to Liverpool, clearly liked to set low expectations for Christmas, as he simply wished for a Big-Mac, Chicken Sandwich, Large Fries and a pile of ketchup from McDonalds. We can't imagine Fergie would have approved of such a meal.
But what of Manchester United captain Bryan Robson? Well, in the spirit of Christmas joy and cheer, Robson had the most upbeat gift request of all - an end to the recession.
An eclectic mix from an eccentric bunch.
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