United Debut: v Rangers (A) 1-1 8/8/87.

Signed From: Crystal Palace June 1987.

Transferred to: Blackburn Rovers £30,000 22/11/89.

Jim McLean signed Irvine from Crystal Palace during the close-season of 1987, and made his debut against Rangers at Ibrox in the opening game of the season, which ended 1-1. The former Queens Park and Everton winger's 3 years at Tannadice were blighted by injury, although he made 19 appearances in his first season, scoring 2 goals in the 7-0 Scottish Cup win over Arbroath, and another double against St Mirren in a 5-1 win at Tannadice. Irvine only made 9 appearances the following season, most notably in the Scottish Cup Quarter-Final at Ibrox where he came off the bench to set up Mixu Paatelainen for the equaliser for a 2-2 draw. He also scored in a 2-1 win at Easter Road over Hibs. Irvine played in the opening game of the 1989/90 season as Hamish French scored in a 1-1 draw with Motherwell, then went out on loan to Blackburn Rovers before signing for them a month later.