 Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - McIlroy akaberekerwa muBelfast uye akatamira kukirabhu yeChirungu Manchester United muna 1969 achiva kusaina kwekupedzisira kwaMatt Busby. Akaita kutanga kwake musi wa6 Mbudzi 1971 muManchester derby vachipesana neManchester City vachirova mu 3x3 dhizaini. Akapinda uye akabuda kunze kwechikwata uye akatamba mumitambo 31 muna 1973-74 sezvo Manchester United yakatambura kusarudzwa kusingawanzoitiki. Akanga aripo nguva dzose muna 1974-75, achitamba mumitambo yose ye 51 yekambani sezvo vakawana kudzoka pakarepo kuChikamu Chekutanga. Pakudzoka kwavo vakapedza vari panzvimbo yechitatu uye vakasvikawo mu1976 FA Cup Finaluko vakarasikirwa ne10 kuSouthampton. 