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Manchester United

England

Manchester United Football Club, frequently referred to Man United (also simply known as United) is a professional soccer club located within the Old Trafford area of Manchester, England. The club is part of the Premier League, the top division of the English football league system. The club is often referred to as"the" Red Devils, it was established in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878. It the name was changed Manchester United in 1902. The club relocated to Newton Heath to its current home, Old Trafford, in 1910.

Manchester United have won a record number of League titles and twelve FA Cups, five League Cups and a record number of FA Community Shields. They have been crowned the European Cup/UEFA Champions ' League 3 times and also the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup the UEFA Super Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup every time. The year 1968 saw the club win the European Cup under direction under the direction of Matt Busby, 10 years after the club's eight members were killed during the Munich air tragedy They were the very first English club to be awarded the European Cup. Alex Ferguson is the club's longest-running manager and the most successful with 38 awards and titles, including thirteen league championships, five FA Cups, and 2 UEFA Champions League titles between 1986 between 1986 and 2013. In the 1998-99 season under Ferguson the club was the first in English football to win the European triple that includes the Premier League, FA Cup as well as the UEFA Champions League. When they won the UEFA Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2016-17 the club became one of the five clubs to win the three primary UEFA clubs' tournaments (the Champions League, Europa League and the Cup Winners Cup).

Manchester United is one of the most popular football clubs around the world, and is in competition against Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Leeds United. Manchester United was the highest-earning football club in the world in 2016-17 with a revenue of EUR676.3 million. It also ranked as the third most valuable soccer club as of 2019, with a value of PS3.15 billion ($3.81 billion). After it was listed onto the London Stock Exchange in 1991 The club was then privatized in 2005 following an acquisition by American investor Malcolm Glazer valued at almost PS800 million. This included more than PS500 million in borrowed funds was turned into its debt. Since 2012, certain parts of the team were traded in the New York Stock Exchange, however, the Glazer family still owns the majority of ownership and control over the club.

 

1. History

Take a journey through the most amazing football story ever told through our decade-by-decade overview of United's history...

1.1. Early years

Manchester United was formed in 1878, as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in the Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LYR) depot in Newton Heath. The team began playing games against other railway companies and departments However, on the 20th November 1880, the team played in their first ever recorded match, sporting the colours that the company was operating in - gold and green and were defeated by 6-0 Bolton Wanderers' reserve team. In 1888, the club had been an official part of The Combination, a regional football league. After the league's dissolution following only one season Newton Heath joined the newly established Football Alliance, which ran for three seasons before it was amalgamated together with The Football League. This led to the club beginning the 1892-93 campaign in the First Division, by which the time it became an distinct from its railway corporation and had dropped its initials "LYR" in its title. After two seasons the club was moved into the Second Division.

The club was founded in January of 1902 having outstanding debts of $2,670 - which would amount to £310,000 by 2022 - the club was served the winding-up notice. The captain Harry Stafford found four local businessmen and one of them was John Henry Davies (who became the club's president) and John Henry Davies, who were ready to put down £500 in exchange for an interest in directly managing the club. They later changed the name. on April 24, 1902 Manchester United was officially founded. Under the leadership of Ernest Mangnall, who assumed the managerial responsibilities in 1903, Manchester United was Second Division runners-up in 1906 and were promoted into the First Division, which they took home in 1908 - the first time that Manchester United won a league title. The next season started by winning the first-ever Charity Shield and ended with the club's first FA Cup title. Manchester United won the First Division for the second time in 1911. However, after the next campaign, Mangnall left the club to join Manchester City.

In 1922, just three years after the return of soccer following the First World War, the team was dropped in the Second Division, where it continued until its promotion was restored in 1925. After being relegated in 1931, Manchester United became a yo-yo club, and achieved the all-time lowest rank of 20th within the Second Division in 1934. After the death of its principal patron John Henry Davies in October 1927, the finances of the club declined to the point that Manchester United would likely have collapsed were it not the case of James W. Gibson, who, in the month of December 1931, invested $2000 and took over the club. The 1938-39 season, the last season of football prior to the Second World War, the team finished 14th in the First Division.

1.1.1. 1878 to 1909

Manchester United History 1878-1909

Manchester United Football Club was established in 1878. however, under a different name that was Newton Heath LYR (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway).

Without realizing the impact they were likely to be able to have on the national and even global sport The workers at the railway yard in Newton Heath indulged their passion for the game of association football, playing with other departmental teams of LYR and other railway companies.

When it was the time that the Football League was formed in 1888, Newton Heath did not believe they were worthy enough to be able to join the league as founding members, along with Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End. They delayed until 1892 before making their entry to the league, joining at Division One and were removed down to Division Two after just two seasons in the top division.

Financial issues plagued the team and, at the beginning into the second decade of the Century it appeared they were headed for the abyss. They were saved but, thanks to local beer manager John Henry Davies. Legend has it that Davies was informed of the team's situation when he discovered the dog of the captain Harry Stafford.

Davies made the decision to put his money into Newton Heath, in return for a small stake in running the facility. This led to a change in name. Eventually, when several alternatives , such as Manchester Central and Manchester Celtic were turned down, Manchester United was born in 1902, between April and May.

The next notable player to join United came from Ernest Mangnall, who was named Secretary in the month of September, 1903, but is widely regarded as the first manager at the club. His team, which included new players such as goalkeeper Harry Moger and forward Charlie Sagar was second in the Second Division in 1903/04 and again in 1904/05.

The next season, 1905/06 was to be one of the most memorable in the early existence of Manchester United. The half-back line consisting of Dick Duckworth, Alex Bell and captain Charlie Roberts were instrumental in the team that reached the quarterfinals of the FA Cup but, more importantly, finished runners up in the Second Division. After 12 years of being dropped, United reclaimed their place in the top division. In celebration, Mangnall signed Billy Meredith from the rival club Manchester City. He was dubbed as the Welsh Wizard, Meredith had been involved in a bribery scandal at City and was set to be auctioned off along together with other 17 players. Mangnall cleverly made his move before the auction began and snatched Meredith's signature prior to auction began.

Meredith's arrival proved be inspiring. Meredith was the catalyst for countless scores to Sandy Turnbull in 1907/08 when United took home the Football League title for the first time in history. They were champions when United took part in the first ever Charity Shield in 1908. They did win the prize by beating Southern League champions QPR 4-0 due to the hat-trick of Sandy's nameake, Jimmy Turnbull. The final trophy to be added to the honours list of the club is it was the FA Cup, at the end of an amazing campaign in 1909. United defeated Bristol City 1-0 in the final due to Sandy Turnbull's winning.

1.1.2. 1910 to 1919

Manchester United History 1910-1919

The term Old Trafford became part of the football legends in the very first instance in the season 1909-2010. The land upon that the football stadium was constructed was acquired through the Manchester Brewery Company (through John Henry Davies) and then leased to the club.

Davies himself was the one who paid for the construction that began in 1908, under the guidance by designer Archibald Leitch. In 1910 the club had moved locks, stock, and barrels from their previous home on Bank Street. United's first game in the stadium of Old Trafford was played on 19 February 1910. The hosts were defeated 4-3 to their debut guests Liverpool however, the stadium did a great job of accommodating a 80,000-strong crowd. Two days before the wooden stand on Bank Street had been blown into the ground by powerful winds, yet another indication that United could and required their new stadium.

In fact, United were crowned League champions twice at the conclusion of their inaugural full year in the stadium of Old Trafford - 1910/1911. The Reds were crowned champions in the home arena on the last day of the campaign, beating Sunderland 5-1, with Harold Halse grabbing two of the goals. Halse was also a goal scorer with six during the match as United defeated Swindon Town 8-4 to clinch the Charity Shield.

Despite these feats, United could not maintain their winning streak and in 1911/12, the champions came in a disappointing 13th position. The secretary-manager Ernest Mangnall bore the brunt of the criticism and was forced to quit to join United's neighbors as well as adversaries Manchester City. Mangnall's search for a successor ended at the feet of JJ Bentley, who was the head of the Football League. Under his direction the Reds were fourth within the League at the close of the 1912/13 season.

The 1913/14 period was one that was a transitional period, while the next campaign was notable for a change in management. In December 1914 the roles of team manager and secretary were split in the very first instance. Bentley was made a full-time secretary, and John Robson was appointed to oversee and choose the team. Robson's squad was a shadow of the team that was so successful in the preceding decade because just George Stacey, Billy Meredith, Sandy Turnbull and George Wall were left from the 1909 FA Cup winning team. The club, as expected, suffered, but only getting relegated by just one point.

Before United could formulate a plan for recovery, the start of First World War put football at the forefront of everyone's minds. It was during the war that the Football League was suspended, and clubs were forced to play in regional tournaments. United took part in the Lancashire Principal and Subsidiary Tournaments for four seasons however, it was not a very successful distraction and the misery was exacerbated by the incident that two team's players were found guilty of fixing matches. Enoch West, who was banned from the club for life and so were Sandy Turnbull, who joined the Footballers' Battalion in order to aid the war effort of Britain. It was tragically, Turnbull was killed during combat with the French in France on May 17, 1917 and a further link to the club's early glory days was lost.

1.1.3. 1920 to 1929

Manchester United History 1920-1929

Manchester United returned to League football on August 30, 1919, after a four-year absence caused through the First World War. The team that played the first match to face Derby County included many new players. In fact, only two players who were playing had been in the United's previous league match towards the end of 1914/15.

Billy Meredith was still at Old Trafford, but reaching the conclusion of his impressive Old Trafford career. He only played 19 games in 1919-1920, in which United placed 13th within the First Division. The new hero on those terraces Joe Spence, finished the season as the club's highest scorer, scoring fourteen League goals. He scored the joint-highest score in 1920/21 but this time with only half of the total as United did not quite meet their goals and ended up in 13th position.

Director John Robson then left the club and was substituted with John Chapman, who reverted to his dual role as manager and secretary, previously performed previously by JJ Bentley. The the former coach Ernest Mangnall continued to make the news locally as a player for City in their move to a new stadium on Maine Road.

Mangnall was also re-signed Meredith to City and, despite his declining age, it may be not by chance that United were knocked out of the league in their debut season without Meredith, and only won 8 of 42 games in the 1921/22. Chapman's team was able to rise into the Second Division at the third attempt, as the leadership on the field by Frank Barson helped ensure promotion in 1924/25's final season. United placed second in the league behind Leicester City, after losing only eight times.

United's status as a top team was confirmed by a ninth-place finish in 1925/26. Chapman's squad also enjoyed an impressive run during the FA Cup, but this was cut short in the semi-finals, when Manchester City beat them 3-0 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield. City's luck dwindled and they fell in each of the two finals (to Bolton) and their position to the First Division.

But not that United supporters would be able to smile at City's misfortune. Just two weeks into 1926/27's campaign, they were in trouble with their own, when the FA removed manager Chapman immediately The reasons were never made known to the public. A wing half Clarence Hilditch took over as manager while the club searched for a permanent replacement. But "Lal" was reluctant choose himself and the team was hampered.

Chapman's replacement, Herbert Bamlett, arrived in the following season. He was well-known to United supporters as the official who canceled the team's FA Cup quarter-final tie at Burnley in 1909, while the team was 1-0 down in the middle of a snowstorm. Bamlett however was too cold to whistle his final whistle and Charlie Roberts had to do the job. United were able to take home the Cup the following season!

Unfortunately, Bamlett had no further influence on the success of United as manager. The team slowly fell into to the First Division, finishing 15th in 1926/27 and 18th 1927/28. However, they recovered somewhat to finish in 12th place in 1928/29. Spence scored goals in a jiffy but he was unable to stop United's gradual slide...

1.1.4. 1930 to 1939

Manchester United History 1930-1939

The decline that began in the 1920s lasted until the start of the 1930s when United ended up 17th in 1929/30. It was enough to make the fans shiver with fear.

The team's fears were confirmed the following season, when United had the most disastrous start in their history when they lost their first 12 league games in two games. The losses came in the form of back-to back defeats on Old Trafford, 6-0 by Huddersfield Town and then 7-4 by Newcastle United. The Reds ended up losing 27 out of 42 league games in 1930/31and conceded the score of 115 goals. The team was relegated, which led to the manager Herbert Bamlett bowing out, and secretary Walter Crickmer taking charge of team matters. The fans' patience was put to the test Many of them didn't stick around . Only 3,507 showed to the first game of the next season. As the season progressed the conditions deteriorated. In December there was nothing to pay players' salaries. A bankruptcy threat was very real.

The club's hero was James Gibson, a manufacturer of uniforms for soldiers. James Gibson invested PS30,000 and paid players and brought the team back in order. He appointed the new director, Scott Duncan, who was given funds to spend. However, he failed to get the most out of it. An unforgiving performance during the tenure of Duncan in 1933/34 brought United to the point of being sent to the Third Division for the first time in the club's history. It was only the final date of the campaign after a 2-0 win featuring goals scored by Tom Manley and Jack Cape and Jack Cape, put the opposition Millwall down. That the same time frame, Manchester City won the FA Cup, with a man called Matt Busby in their side.

United ended the 1934/35 campaign in fifth position and, the following season, won their first silverware title of the decade. Unbeaten throughout the last 19 matches of their season and the Reds won their Second Division championship with a victory of 3-2 against Bury in the infamous Gigg Lane. The season's end results of the Second Division suggested United would be successful in their return to the top division, however in the run-up to Christmas the team had only been able to win four games, including one on the 25th of December! Just 10 wins during the entire season resulted in being relegated, with City's fortunes being in the opposite direction as they were named League champions. The team that was relegated United team also included Walter Winterbottom, who would later be knighted following his management of England during 16 years.

The yo-yoing lasted as United were again promoted for the following season, 1937/38, and were the runners up for Aston Villa. Manager Duncan was able to claim a small portion of the credit, however, when his departure from the club was in the month of November 1937 to be the manager of Ipswich Town. Walter Crickmer again stepped into the gap as United's interim manager. The most memorable part in Duncan and Crickmer's time included the discovery of Johnny Carey, who would later be regarded as being among the most outstanding full-backs of football's history. With 32 games played and six goals in an than a more advanced position and position, the Irishman played a key role in helping United to remain top of the table in the standings, taking 14th place and City went on to be dropped. It was too late to celebrate, however - the War caused an end to the Football League on hold again for a number of years.

1.1.5. 1940 to 1949

Manchester United History 1940-1949

The start of Second World War forced football to the back of the minds of people between 1939 and 1946. However, even with the demise of League football, Old Trafford was still the centre of attention.

On the 11th of March 1941 the stadium was attacked in the course of a German air strike. The attack caused the destruction of all of the stadium's main stands, the dressing rooms, and offices. It was a devastating blow , but in a matter of years there would be hope once more around the famed old stadium.

It was accompanied by a man by the name of Matt Busby, who would turn out to be an influential figure in the story of Manchester United. Former Manchester City and Liverpool player, Busby served in the Ninth Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment and his leadership abilities shined through. These qualities were not unbenoticed by United.

Busby was a member of with the Reds in 1945, at first with a contract of five years. He had no idea that the fact that he would be in charge of the Reds 25 years later! The young manager did not take long to make his mark by altering the positions of many crucial players. He also established the "Famous Five" forwards after he gathered Jimmy Delaney, Stan Pearson, Jack Rowley, Charlie Mitten and Johnny Morris.

One of the most significant decisions Busby did, however, was his coaching staff. Matt Busby had metJimmy Murphy in the course of conflict and regarded him as the perfect right-hand man. They formed a partnership which would see United grow into a major force in the world of football.

Busby and Murphy's first move in the direction of glory was to construct an unstoppable team capable of competing for domestic distinctions. They were successful at first try, and United came second to Liverpool in the very first Football League campaign after the war in 1946/47. It was the club's top place in its history for the past 36 years. There was a reason to celebrate when the Reserves took home their (Central) League championship the same year.

Busby's mixture of local young players and established players won their first trophy in the following year, after they defeated the Blackpool team comprised of Stanley Matthews, Stan Mortensen and Harry Johnston in the 1948 FA Cup final. The match took place 39 years since when United had earlier been crowned the winner of the Cup in 1909.

The FA Cup was also the club's first major award after winning the League Championship in 1911, and winning the trophy was now the primary goal for the club's players. In the first five seasons during his postwar tenure, United finished second on four occasions and third on another occasion (1949/50).

The excitement of the hunt for honors brought the crowd back to life - more than one million people walked through the gates during 1948, pulling away the team from financial trouble. It's not likely that these fans would be waiting long for the prize they had always wanted...

1.1.6. 1950 to 1959

Manchester United History 1950-1959

The 1950s started with the demise of Matt Busby's very first United team, the FA Cup-winning team from 1948.

Discord in the dressing room led to Johnny Morris departing for Derby and Charlie Mitten exporting his wing magic to Colombia. People who were concerned about the duo's departure soon found themselves in a calm. The Scot's strategy was to encourage the young players who he had been recruiting and developing in the latter part of the 1940s. Jackie Blanchflower and Roger Byrne were the first players to make an appearance and get branded "Babes" in the press In their first season of 1951/52, United were able to win the long-awaited League champion for only the second time since 1911.

In 1955/56 and 1956/57 Byrne took home the Division One trophy as skipper of a famous young side which included a number of other players from Busby's academy for youth. Eddie Colman, Mark Jones and David Pegg were all first-team regulars after cutting their teeth at the FA Youth Cup, which United won five times consecutively since its beginning in 1953.

The young talent came from the United States However. United manager Mark Hughes United manager was equally content to get into the market for transfer players as evidenced by the huge money-making signings of experienced international players Tommy Taylor and goalkeeper Harry Gregg.

A young man that performed well in the national and club arena is Duncan Edwards. He was so powerful and talented were this Dudley teenaged that Busby was unable to hold him back from playing in the first United team. In April 1953 Busby became the First Division's youngest player ever at 16 years old and the age of 185 days.

One game that best exemplified the current Busby Babes period was the match with Arsenal at Highbury 1 February 1958. In the presence of 63,578, the Reds defeated their Gunners in a thrilling nine-goal game featuring goals scored by Edwards, Taylor (2), Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet.

However, what might have been their best game on English turf was to be the final game for the special Manchester United team. From Highbury in the afternoon, the Babes set off for Europe in order to take on the 2nd half of a match with Red Star Belgrade. They again won five to four, but this time, on average, but as they headed to home, the joy was cut short due to tragic circumstances.

After the refuelling at Munich on the 6th of February, 1958 The United aircraft crashed, killing 22 people and seven of the players were killed - Byrne, Colman, Jones, Pegg, Taylor, Geoff Bent and Liam Whelan. Duncan Edwards died of his injuries 15 days after the crash in an German hospital. The club, Manchester, of Manchester and the English football team entered a long time of mourning. It was impossible to imagine that Manchester United would be able to recover from such a terrible loss.

However, as Busby was unable to heal from his crash injuries The team bounced back . After being treated through Jimmy Murphy, they reached the FA Cup final in May in spite of every odds. The Reds fell in the final at Wembley against Bolton Wanderers, 12 months after a controversial loss in the Final against Aston Villa.

Despite the harrowing devastation that was caused to United's talented first-team squad Busby and Murphy put together a temporary team of players. amazingly, they came in 2nd in their league for 1958/59. Following the devastation of Munich the process of rebuilding was already underway.

1.1.7. 1960 to 1969

Manchester United History 1960-1969

After establishing one of the most successful teams that was ever seen throughout England, Matt Busby had to begin all over again in the early 1960s. In the 1960s, the Munich Air Disaster had robbed him and football and many of football's best players. After the great coach was healed from his personal injuries, he began creating a new team to bring the world to the brink.

Dennis Viollet was one of the top names in the team. In 1959/60 Dennis Viollet Munich survivor beat Jack Rowley's record for club goals by scoring 32 league goals in a single season. This record remains to this day.

In 1962, Viollet was gone from the club after Busby transformed his team one more. The next great team maintained a connection back to Busby Babes in the shape of Bill Foulkes and Bobby Charlton and Bobby Charlton, who later rose through the ranks and breaking records for goals scored by both clubs as well as for the nation. Nobby Stiles, too, rose in the ranks and Denis Law came via a record transfer of PS115,000 from Torino.

United's performance was inconsistent towards the start of the decade, as new players came in however, everything was in place with a trip through Wembley to play in the 1963 FA Cup Final. Busby's newly-formed team defeated Leicester 3-1, scoring two goals scored by David Herd and one by Law.

The following season was one in which United consolidate their foundations that had been established by FA Cup success to challenge for the title. They finished second in the league, four points off the title-winning team Liverpool. The 1962/63 campaign was notable due to the arrival and appearance of George Best, the young man from Belfast who would soon become football's first star. His amazing speed, agility and control put players in a tizzy which made him a huge hit for the fans, while his movie star looks contributed to elevating his status to that of a celebrity.

The famous Trinity of Best, Law and Charlton was able to take United to new levels. They took the League championship, beating Leeds by a goal difference and made it to the semi-finals in the European Fairs Cup and the FA Cup. Law was a prolific goal-snatcher and was awarded as the European Footballer of the Year.

The team that won the title appeared to be the ultimate team however they ended up finishing with a disappointing 4th place next season, and were eliminated from in both FA as well as the European Cups in the semi-finals. The season's high point was the 5-1 win away to Benfica during the European Cup quarter-finals, when Best was on top form and was tagged"El Beatle".

The 1966/67 season was when United was crowned League champions for the second time and another year in European Cup football was guaranteed. It was this time that United were determined to go all to the finish, defeating Benfica to win the title at Wembley. Jaime Graca equalised Charlton's headed goal, taking the game to extra-time, but additional goals scored by Best, Brian Kidd - on his birthday - and Charlton awarded United the debut European Cup. Ten years after Sir Matt was devastated by the loss of his dream team vanished, Sir Matt had won the most coveted prize. The knight was awarded shortly afterwards.

The next campaign was a disappointing one for that the European Champions finish in 11th place but not win an award. The Reds also fell short of winning their World Club Championship 2-1 on the aggregate in a game against Estudiantes in a game that was which was marred by violent on-field incidents. In spite of the unclimatic ending in the decade United were able to accomplish amazing achievements in the 1960s. it's hard to imagine anyone praising Sir Matt's departure in the year 1969, considering all he'd done.

1.1.8. 1970 to 1979

Manchester United History 1970-1979

As the all the memories from this European Cup triumph beginning to fade, Manchester United's focus focused on their vacant manager. Sir Matt Busby had led the team to the promised land , but had since retired leaving huge boots to fill.

The decision was made to choose from within, by elevating the coach of Busby as well as previous players Wilf McGuinness to the position of senior. The combination of aging stars and a lack of overall control over team activities resulted in McGuinness was unable to assert his authority. The inclusion of popular players like Denis Law and Shay Brennan on the transfer list did not make a difference, nor George Best's off-field distracting conduct.

Wilf was not allowed to fight all day. After Boxing Day 1970, he was dismissed from his post while Sir Matt was reinstated in charge for a short period. Frank O'Farrell was the next person to be appointed in June of 1971, but despite an impressive start United's 5-0 loss to Crystal Palace on 16 December 1972 was the final game in charge.

While his time at the club was brief but he made his mark when he signed Martin Buchan for a record price of £125,000. Martin Buchan, the former Aberdeen captain would later be a major player for the successor to O'Farrell, Tommy Docherty, who was appointed at the end of December in 1972.

The first task for Doc was to ensure that the team remained at the top of the league as he gradually replaced the legendary players from the 1960s. Bobby Charlton had announced he was retiring at the conclusion of the 1972/73 campaign, Best was often off the path once more and Law had reached his peak. Law was actually was granted the chance to transfer for free in July 1973. The move then came back to be a source of trouble for Docherty. Law joined Manchester City and scored at Old Trafford in April 1974 in the same day United's demotion into the Second Division was confirmed.

To the credit of Docherty, to his credit, the Reds recovered quickly. They took home their Second Division championship in style in 1974/75 with top goal scorer Stuart "Pancho" Pearson scoring the league with 17 goals. Lou Macari scored the goal which secured promotion Southampton on April 5, 1975.

United later reached consecutive FA Cup finals, losing to Southampton in 1976, before winning Liverpool in the same year 2-1. The team of the Doc was able to rise to take on Liverpool's hopes of achieving the Triple and the Merseyside team won both the League Championship and the European Cup both on the other side of the United's victory. The excitement of winning that trophy did not last long for the Doc however. Within 44 days the Doc was fired due to an incident off-field.

QPR director Dave Sexton stepped into the space, and although Sexton did not finish more than 10th on the table during his first two seasons in 1977/78 and 1978/79, Sexton led the team to Wembley at the end of 1979. However, the Reds were beaten 3-1 in the final against Arsenal at the end of one of the greatest climaxes of their FA Cup final. Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy scored in the final fifteen minutes, bringing United to a 2-2 behind but just the goalkeeper Alan Sunderland to grab Arsenal's winner at the edge of extra-time.

The frantic final few minutes at Wembley was the best way to sum up The 1970s in the world of United, the decade of high-stakes tension where highs and lows not far from each other.

1.1.9. 1980 to 1989

Manchester United History 1980-1989


United suffered a disappointing beginning to the 1980s, however Dave Sexton and his team were able to come back and win eight of their final 10 league games during the 1979/80 season, and finished just two points ahead of Liverpool for the championship.

The Reds delivered another thrilling final at the conclusion of the next season in 1980/81 where they won their final 7 league matches in succession. However, this time only an eighth place final position was secured , something the board of the club was unable to accept. Sexton was dismissed on the 30th of April 1981, following four years in the hot seat.

Sexton's new replacement Ron Atkinson brought in Mick Brown as assistant manager as well as Eric Harrison as youth coach. However, it was his off-field acquisitions that truly thrilled the crowd. They broken record after record British transfer record to sign Bryan Robson from his old club West Bromwich Albion for PS1.5million and then spent about one third of that amount to sign another Albion player, Remi Moses, to the United team.

The midfielders of the latest players amazingly complemented the finesse and skill Ray Wilkins, the ball-playing England star. But there was something lacking. United required a forward capable of matching the striking rate that was Ian Rush at Liverpool, and the Merseysiders taking the title in 1982 1983, 1983 and 1984. Atkinson's team was never too left behind, finishing in third or fourth in each season during his tenure. The title of league champion was far from reach However.

The domestic cups gave United the best chance to win silverware. And in 1983 Wembley became the venue for both of the competitions. Liverpool defeated the opposition 2-1 after extra time to take home the League Cup, while little-fancied Brighton and Hove Albion were beaten in two games to reach the FA Cup final. The draw was followed by a brutal replay victory for United thanks to goals scored by Robson (2), Arnold Muhren and Norman Whiteside.

Whiteside's ability to rise to big occasions was never more appreciated as in the year 1985 when Whiteside scored in the sole goal in the FA Cup final to beat Everton 1-1. United had been reduced to 10 men following the expulsion from Kevin Moran, who formed an excellent defensive team together with Paul McGrath.

This was the third FA Cup success in three seasons. However, after 18 months the club sacked him for failing to challenge Merseyside's hold on this League title. It was unlikely that even 10 consecutive wins in the 1985/86 could take Atkinson to that Holy Grail.

In November of 1986, United at last appointed the first winner of their history. In Aberdeen, Alex Ferguson had won every award Scotland could offer and the additional benefit of winning The European Cup Winners' Cup in which his team defied odds to defeat Real Madrid in the final.

Ferguson evidently had the potential to succeed, but Ferguson also required time to make the switch to turn United around. The club was patient when they Reds ended up finishing eleventh in 1986/87 and in 1988/89. In all fairness, the seasons in between, 1987/88, was a promising indicators in the sense that United placed second behind Liverpool with eight wins and losing two of their final 10 matches.

The expectation of the season, as well as certain of the agreements made could soon be completed

1.1.10. 1990 to 1999

Manchester United History 1990-1999

The 1990s' first year witnessed Alex Ferguson collect his first silverware as Manchester United manager, and Liverpool taking home their final League title in the midst of an aged team. The trend was changing...

Ferguson's debut FA Cup, achieved after replays in the match against Crystal Palace, at the time appeared to be an individual success, one that could have could have saved his job following another bad year during the League. However, nine years later Lee Martin's goal in the final against Palace set off an unprecedented surge of achievement.

The most important thing was that having won the FA Cup in 1990 allowed United to be able to comeback to European competition after a gap of five years after the Heysel tragedy. Not a rusty team they Reds were able to make it into the semi-final of the European Cup Winners Cup in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where they faced Barcelona the former club that was the home of United player Mark Hughes. Two goals from Hughes made the final with a 2-1 victory for United in May of 1991, which was 23 years after United's last victory in Europe.

The second long wait for the elusive League championship, nearly was over in 1992. The Reds already had been awarded the third trophy of manager in the month of March in The League Cup, and were in a race of two horses with Leeds. Liverpool had been eliminated from the race, but could have a say in the outcome of the title by beating United by 2-0 at Anfield to stop their rival's quest.

The title of 1991/92 would be the one that is remembered as a result of Manchester for the fact that it was the one United lost, not it being the title that Leeds actually took home. Leeds in the end weren't the most prestigious of footballing powers during the 1990s, and their superstar status was further diminished when they let one of their most talented players to traverse the Pennines in December 1992.

In the sale of Eric Cantona to Old Trafford The Yorkshire club gave away all the key to winning the League championship. The Frenchman provided a element of magic and confidence that was missing in the previous seasons of United and instantly became a favorite with the Mancunian fans with nine goals, which helped assist the Reds achieve their first title in 26 years.

The following season 1993/94 the club took off in the pursuit of an unprecedented League as well as FA Cup Double, with Cantona wearing the number seven shirt which was owned by Bryan Robson for the longest time. The number oneplayer, however was without doubt Peter Schmeichel, arguably the greatest goalie to ever play the English game.

The absence of Cantona for eight months from January 1995, following a incident with a fan in Crystal Palace, proved to be United's downfall when they attempted at defending their Triple. The Reds lost the title by just one percentage point against Blackburn Rovers and then lost the FA Cup final by one goal to Everton. The previous champions were held back by a stumbling Wembley by a calf incident that injured Steve Bruce, the brave captain who played as an offensive rock in the early 1990s and his second-in-command at half-time Ryan Giggs, was also not in full fitness.

Bruce was also absent from the following season's FA Cup Final, at the close of the 1995/96 campaign, however, this time the outcome was quite different. Liverpool were able to stand between United and the first ever Double Double, and were waiting for extra time, until Cantona hit home a magnificent shot in the 85th minute. The French captain had throughout the season inspired the young talents who were part of the team, such as David Beckham and Gary Neville.

The month of May, 1997 was when Cantona was instrumental in helping the team win win its Fourth League championship that year. It would also be his last title, as Cantona decided to retire from football in the following month. The shock of Eric's retirement seemed to last for the entire year, and the Reds lost their way in 1997/98, while Arsenal took home the Double. Also the injuries of important players, particularly Giggs along with Roy Keane, were cited as the reason for United's demise.

The impact that Giggs might have on outcomes was more evident than during his 1999 FA Cup semi-final replay, which he scored possibly the most memorable goal of the decade with an individual run and finishing that left Arsenal's defence in awe. United were able to secure a place in the sixth FA Cup final of the 1990s. This time, Ferguson's team won the trophy by beating Newcastle United 2-0 with goals from Paul Scholes and substitute Teddy Sheringham.

This result sealed United's third Double in just six days, just six weeks after their Premiership title was secured with the goal of Andy Cole at Tottenham in Old Trafford. However, there was still more to come from the incredible season. After a thrilling Champions League semi-final against Juventus and Juventus, where Keane helped the team come back from 2-0 down in the second leg United made it to an incredible finale in the final against Bayern Munich in Barcelona.

United's attempt to be victorious in their first European Cup for the first time since 1968 appeared to be in jeopardy as Bayern scored an early lead thanks to Mario Basler and defended it with typical German perseverance. However, at the final minutes of the game the Reds made an incredible and impressive athletic comebacks of the past and Sheringham scored a goal and then, a few minutes after, sub Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fired in the winner, making the score 1-1. United achieved an unrivalled historic Triple and Ferguson was knighted afterward as people around the world basked in the joy.

The Treble was transformed into quadruple later on in the year as Sir Alex's team traveled to Tokyo to play for an Inter-Continental Cup. Keane's goal in the match against Palmeiras of Brazil brought to United with the honour of World Club Champions. In the official sense, at the close of the Millennium the biggest soccer club on earth had been crowned the best anywhere!

1.1.11. 2000 to 2009

Manchester United History 2000-2009


United began the new century, decade and millennium with a characteristic pioneering style and entered a brand new competition called the FIFA Club World Championship in Brazil However, it was at the cost of not participating at the FA Cup, of which the Reds were the winners.

The trip across South America didn't result in silverware, but it did give players a chance to relax in the sunlight. Invigorated by this trip, United raced ahead of their rivals at the top of the table following their returning to England following their not been able to capitalize in the beginning of the season. Sir Alex's team won their 6th Premiership title in the early part of April, but they were still lacking an effective alternative to Peter Schmeichel.

A variety of goalkeepers such as Mark Bosnich, tried and did not succeed in establishing themselves during this season of 1999/2000. Therefore, it wasn't a surprise that World Cup and European Championship winner Fabien Barthez was signed by United in July 2000.

The strange, but powerful French goalkeeper was instrumental in helping United to claim another title consecutively in 2000/01, something that was previously achieved by only a few club in England. Liverpool was the first team to achieve this feat, in 1982 1983, 1984 and 1982 however, it was under the guidance of two different managers : Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan.

Sir Alex was in charge for the last three back-to back United wins and was the only manager from English football to complete the three-peat. After winning the most recent trophy Sir Alex announced his imminent retirement only to change his mind and choose to remain.

Ferguson's most significant signing in the second half of 2002 Rio Ferdinand, one of England's top performers during the World Cup finals in Japan and Korea. The PS30m transfer from Leeds brought the strength that was lacking from United's defensive after Jaap Stam's departure to Lazio.

Ferdinand contributed to Ferdinand helped the Reds to regain the Premiership title in the month of May 2003, a year that saw the end of one of Manchester's most beloved players. David Beckham left his longtime home to join Real Madrid but his career as a Red ended with a bang with a famous free-kick in the game against Everton in the final game of his career.

Arsenal returned to its League trophy in the year 2004, but the Reds were victorious in the FA Cup for an 11th time winning Millwall by a score of 3-0 in the final of 2004 in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. One year later, United were back in Wales to play Arsenal to take home the trophy. Chelsea took home both the Premiership as well as the League Cup, and it was the Gunners that won the trophy in penalties despite a dominating performance by United who Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were the best. The following season brought the first silverware for the pair , as the Reds defeated Wigan Athletic in the League Cup final.

In the case of Alex and his team The main goal was Premier League glory, which was subsequently achieved the following season, when United achieved their 16th League title and finished six points ahead of champions Chelsea. Although the entire squad did admirably to win this title at Stamford Bridge, the man who received the majority of the accolades was Ronaldo who racked up 13 personal accolades during the tournament, including the PFA Young Player and Player of the Year awards.

Although it appeared unlikely that the winger would be able to match his heroics of 2006/07 and he was able to do it following season. Ronaldo played a significant role scoring 42 goals during the time the Reds beat the competition of Chelsea in two of the most important tournaments in the current. The team was strengthened by the summer acquisitions that included Owen Hargreaves, Carlos Tevez, Anderson and Nani, United rebounded from an unproductive start to the season and top the table for all of the season. Despite a late challenge from Chelsea and a 2-1 win in Wigan (in where Ryan Giggs scored the clinching goal as He also matched the club's record for all-time record for appearances) brought about the 17th league title for United.

The next day the next day, in Moscow in the Russian capital, the Reds and Blues duked it out again for silverware in the same way that two English clubs played for the semi-final in the Champions League or European Cup for the first time. Ronaldo's opening goal was cancelled out through Frank Lampard and, after 120 minutes of tension the game went to penalties. Ronaldo's error allowed John Terry the chance to claim the trophy, however, the Chelsea captain slipped and crashed his strike against the post. Redeemed, United went on to take the shootout victory when Edwin van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka's attempt, ensuring that the biggest tournament in Europe was taken by the team from Manchester for the third time.

How do you improve on the 2007/08 season? Sir Alex's team performed their best, and the only one loss at the final hurdle - in the final against Barcelona during the Champions League final - prevented the Reds from winning a record-setting win. Despite their ultimate defeat at home in Europe, United dominated almost every other event. In December the Reds went to Japan to participate at the FIFA Club World Cup and one Rooney score in the Ecuadorian Liga de Quito in the final was enough to make United as world champions.

What impact could a long and exhausting trip in Japan and the Far East have on the Reds ambitions for domestic success? In the end, it just helped make United stronger. Sir Alex's squad smashed Liverpool (seven points ahead when Liverpool returned Reds were back in Japan) and then went on to take home a record-setting 18th League title. Even prior to the moment that Gary Neville lifted the Barclays Premier League trophy The Reds have had a chance to win against Tottenham during their League Cup. In that match, goalie Ben Foster was the penalty shootout winner after the score was equal at the end of 120 minutes. The Reds completed their decade by winning an impressive 14 trophy

1.1.12. 2010 onwards

Manchester United History 2010-Now

Despite a positive start to the campaign United's 2009/10 campaign had an unpleasant sting after Chelsea's last-minute surge to the win ended the Reds chances of winning their fourth consecutive title by just one points in the race that continued until the end during the entire season.

There was some consolation that could be noted in re-securing of the League Cup, achieved at Aston Villa's expense, and won by a last-minute winner of Wayne Rooney, whose individual performance was acknowledged with the PFA Player's Award for Player of the Year as well as Football Writers Award for Player of the Year. award.

Even with that single piece silverware that was presented, 2009/10's season was notable for the increased stakes of the Manchester derby and a club takeover increasing the ambitions that was Manchester City and putting them in the spotlight for honors. The United's local authority was exercised in a positive manner, but by winning away and home Premier League wins and a League Cup semi-final triumph, with every win being won during injury-time.

Both Manchester clubs had a plan to taking their Premier League trophy back to the North-West when the 2010/11 season was beginning, and the United team was bolstered by the low-key signings of promising young players Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling.

While not well-known The pair quickly bonded with the squad . And despite a period that was largely uninspired away from home, United reclaimed the title for the 19th time under the domestic title. Although Rooney was the star of the 2009/10 season with his incredible performances on the field the 2010/11 campaign was more of a team achievement.

From goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar - in his final season with the club - to the enduring impact that was Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes through to the rejuvenated Rooney the entire team was in motion during the time Chelsea were slain.

A record-breaking performance at home was the pillar of the team's success, but in Europe it was the mediocre away form that pushed the Reds to the second Champions League final against Barcelona This time, it was at Wembley. The third time in the space of three seasons, Lionel Messi and co were too much for United at the end of the day however it was the record 19th league win that was the reason for an exciting season in the midst of Old Trafford.

The attempt to swiftly bring twenty into history appeared solid in the beginning of the 2011/12 season. Sir Alex Ferguson strengthened his squad by signing David De Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young, while homegrown talent Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck were promoted to regularity at the senior level.

Despite an incredible beginning to the season, the Reds were hit by a flurry of injuries, as well as a crushing home loss to City who been the only real contenders to the title. They had fought back admirably in the face of the odds - and welcoming Scholes returning in a stunning retirement U-turn United slowly drew back Roberto Mancini's squad and, with only a month remaining they had taken an eight-point lead.

However, a rapid-fire sequence of results that were not great caused City to take the lead in the final stretch and secure their first trophy in 44 years in a heartbreaking way, scoring twice during late injury-time on the last day of the season . They defeated Queens Park Rangers and top the table in goal-to-goal ratio.

Naturally Sir Alex continued to be adamant, and congratulated the new champions , while cautioning "We're dismayed at losing that lead of eight points, but I'm not going to make any regrets for one of my teammates. They're all good youngsters and will be perfectly fine. Do not worry about it."

Sir Alex's prediction was proved correct within a mere 12 months after his team, which was sacked by the bitter disappointment of earlier and buoyed by the signings from Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa, won an historic 20th league championship. The victory was sealed on the 22nd of April, 2013 by the leading goal-scorer van Persie appropriately netting a three-goal hat-trick during a stunning home victory against Aston Villa.

The close of the season in 2012/13 brought announcement which millions of Reds were anticipating since the beginning of time and that was Sir Alex Ferguson was to step out from the position of managing Manchester United. His resignation was announced on May 8, 2013 and his successor was announced the next day. David Moyes arrived from Everton to follow in his footsteps British the most successful manager in football.

It was too big a task for Moyes to handle. Scot despite his impressive but unadorned record with Goodison Park. At the conclusion of the 2013/14 season, which was a flop which saw United in a position to not take part in any cup competitions, and in seventh position the club declared that Moyes was leaving the club. The day after 22 April 2014, the Reds longest-serving and most admired footballer Ryan Giggs was placed in temporary charge until the close of the season.

Louis van Gaal's selection as the new manager in permanent capacity and club's first manager outside of Ireland and the UK and Ireland the announcement came on May 19th, 2014 and began his work in July, after leading his countrymen from the Netherlands into the semifinals at the World Cup in Brazil. Giggs was a retired player in May, at the conclusion of a lengthy and wonderful playing career with just one club was rehired to assist van Gaal in the role as assistant manager.

In the final days the first window of transfers during his tenure as United Manager, van Gaal had acquired six new players - including club records signees included Angel Di Maria for PS59.7m, Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw as well as allowing numerous other players to leave and resulted in a reshuffled group for 2014/15.

Since there were no European matches to compete in Van Gaal's first season was a strictly domestic affair. As part of the Barclays Premier League, the first goal was met since the Reds completed the season with a top-four finish and thus qualified to return in the Champions League. Additional reinforcements to van Gaal's squad were added in during the summer window of transfers in 2015 and the most thrilling of the bunch coming in the form of Anthony Martial, the young French forward who hails from Monaco. The most notable deal was that which was signed by the first-choice goalie David De Gea, who had been pursuing Real Madrid for months prior to his departure in the last minute on the day of the deadline.

Despite a good start to 2015/16 the season - United achieved the Champions League qualifying round by beating Bruges at home and away, and beating Liverpool 3-1 in Old Trafford in the league with a debut goal from Martial The result was difficult with numerous injuries affecting van Gaal's strategies. Luke Shaw's injury to his leg was the most severe of the injuries which meant he would be out for the remainder of the season, starting in September. The injury was dealt with by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and the Reds were subsequently beaten after finishing at the third spot in the competition, just behind the Dutch team and Wolfsburg. The slide to the Europa League led to elimination by Liverpool after two games in the final-16 round.

The early exit from the League Cup, at home to Middlesbrough on penalties, was compensated for with a thrilling performance during the FA Cup as van Gaal's players returned the trophy in Old Trafford for a record-equalling 12th time in total and for the only time they have done it since. The team's occasionally inconsistent performances in the league not being enough to earn a top-four spot and a spot in the Champions League, media speculation about van Gaal's future was rampant. After just forty-eight hours of his team having took the cup title in Wembley, van Gaal and United parted ways after his time was up and he was two years into the three-year deal.

There was a lot of speculation about whether Jose Mourinho would be appointed as the new United manager was confirmed on May 27, 2016 when United announced the appointment via a statement on ManUtd.com. Vice-chairman of the executive committee Ed Woodward commented: "Jose is by far the most effective manager we have today... His success record is perfect for taking the club forward."

To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game. It is a club known and admired throughout the world. There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match, Mourinho himself said to online casino malaysia website MB5.

When the new season of the 2016/2017 Premier League season kicked off the new coach had already won his first silverware that was the Community Shield, secured with the league's champions Leicester City at Wembley - and had also signed four promising new players, Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahmovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and club record signing Paul Pogba. Paul Pogba was securing his second season with United having played in seven games for the first team in 2011/12 , after rising through the Reserves and Academy ranks.

In the final stages of the season that Mourinho's first with Old Trafford he had added two more awards, winning the League Cup sealed with victory over Southampton because of Zlatan's late Wembley victory and, most importantly it was the Europa League, that trophy completed United's entire list of honours following winning the cup final against Ajax during the cup final in Stockholm.

The summer of 2017 in the summer of 2017, Reds signed a well-known Premier League striker in Romelu Lukaku, who was a player at Everton. Mourinho also got the midfielder's services of Nemanja Matic, who was a player at previous club Chelsea and also brought in Sweden center-back Victor Lindelof from Benfica. After winning the Europa League the previous campaign, United started the 2017/18 season with an UEFA Super Cup clash against Real Madrid, but the Spanish team came out as 2-1 winners thanks to goals scored by Isco as well as Casemiro. The Reds did well after the defeat and won six of their seven league matches they played in the first seven matches.

In January of 2018 the club hired Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal and the Chilean has helped us accumulate the highest number of points (81) and earn us the highest position in league (second second only to the Manchester City, the runaway Champions Manchester City) since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure. We fell out of the Champions League by losing in the final 16 against Sevilla however we ended the season with our twenty-first FA Cup final appearance in our history. However, we were unable to prevent Chelsea to triumph by 1-0 at Wembley and defeat Mourinho's attempt for another trophy at United.

Michael Carrick retired from playing at the close of the season of 2017-18, twelve years after signing with United at the time, and he immediately joined the coaching team. Three new players were signed - - midfielder Fred and full back Diogo Dalot, and goalkeeper Lee Grant - before the season began with a home victory of 2-1 over Leicester City. But the positive beginnings of the season were not to last and in December, the team in sixth place on the Premier League table, the club decided to break up with Mourinho. He was replaced by a former Portuguese boss was replaced with the former Reds forward Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was appointed caretaker manager until the conclusion of the season

1.2. Busby years (1945-1969)

In the month of October 1945, the imminent return of football following conflict led to selection to Matt Busby, who demanded the highest level of control over the team's selection as well as player transfers and training sessions. Busby managed the team to second-place finishes in leagues in 1947 1948, 1949 and 1947 and also to an FA Cup victory in 1948. After 1952, the team was awarded its first title in First Division, its first league title in 41 years. The team then took home back-to back league titles in the years 1956 and 1957. The team that had the average of 22 were known as "the Busby Babes" by the media, which was a testimony to the faith of Busby's young players. In the year 1957, Manchester United became the first English team to participate at the European Cup, despite objections from The Football League, who had refused Chelsea the same chance in the previous year. To reach the semi-final that they lost in the final to Real Madrid, the team scored a 10-0 win over Belgian champions Anderlecht and is the club's most significant win in history.

The next season, on the return journey from the European Cup quarter-final victory against Red Star Belgrade, the plane carrying Manchester United players, officials and journalists collided while trying to take off after having refueled the aircraft in Munich, Germany. The Munich air tragedy on the 6th of February 1958 resulted in the deaths of 23 people as well as the lives of eight players including Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Billy Whelan - and injured many more.

The United Trinity statue of George Best (left), Denis Law (centre) and Bobby Charlton (right) outside Old Trafford

Manager assistant Jimmy Murphy took over as manager, while Busby recuperated from his injuries . The team's improvised side made it to the FA Cup final, which they were defeated by Bolton Wanderers. To commemorate the loss of the team, UEFA invited the club to play in the 1958-1959 European Cup alongside eventual League champions Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, despite the approval of The Football Association, The Football League decided that the club could not be allowed to participate, as it was not eligible. Busby revived the team in the 1960s with the addition of players like Denis Law and Pat Crerand and bringing them together with the younger generation of players which included George Best - to win the FA Cup in 1963. In the following season they were third in the championship and later winning the title both in the years 1965 and 1967. In the year 1968, Manchester United became the first English club to be the first English club to win the European Cup, beating Benfica 4-1 in the final [33] with the team comprising three European Footballers of the Year: Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best. They later were the team to represent Europe during the 1968 Intercontinental Cup against Estudiantes of Argentina however, they were eliminated after losing the opening match to Buenos Aires, before a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford three weeks later. Busby was dismissed as manager in 1969 prior to being replaced by reserve team coach who was a ex- Manchester United player Wilf McGuinness.

1.3. Ferguson years (1986–2013)

Sir Alex Ferguson Honours 1986–2013

Alex Ferguson and his assistant Archie Knox arrived from Aberdeen on the day of the dismissal of Atkinson The pair guided this club towards an 11th place final at the top of the table. Despite finishing second in 1987-88, the team returned to 11th the next season. The club was reportedly on the brink of being fired Ferguson's position was preserved thanks to winning against Crystal Palace in the 1990 FA Cup Final. The next year, Manchester United claimed their first Cup Winners' Cup of the UEFA title. The club was able to participate at the European Super Cup for the first time. United defeated European Cup holders Red Star Belgrade by a score of 1-0 in the final at Old Trafford. The club was at two successive League Cup finals in 1991 and 1992, and beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the second game to win the competition in the very first time. It was in 1993 that the team claimed the first title in league since 1967 and then, a year later it won its first league title since the club won its second consecutive title, along with winning the FA Cup - to complete the first "Double" in the history of the club. United was an original English club to complete the Double twice after winning both of the competitions in 1995-96 after which they retained the league title again in 1996-97 and winning with a game left.

The Manchester United front three triple medals from the 1998-99 season can be seen in the club's Museum.

In the 1998-99 season Manchester United became the first team to take home the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League - "The Triple" during that same year. In the midst of an injury-time period during the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored goals late in the game to win a thrilling match in the final against Bayern Munich, in what is considered to be one of the most impressive comebacks in history. The following summer, Ferguson received a knighthood for his contributions to the game.

In November 1999 the club became the sole British team to be crowned the Intercontinental Cup with a 1-0 victory over 1999 Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras in Tokyo. It was a game that the Red Devils counted on an unanticipated goalkeeper error by the future 2003 FIFA World Cup winner Marcos and a missed goal scored by Alex to take the win.

Manchester United won the league again in the 1999-2000 as well as 2000-01 seasons. It was the fourth team to claim the English title three times in succession. The team finished third in the 2001-02 season and then regained this title during 2002-2003. They took home their third consecutive FA Cup, beating Millwall 3-1 in the final on the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to take the trophy home for the record-breaking 11th time. In the 2005-06 season Manchester United failed to qualify for knockout competition in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in more than a decade, but they were able to claim an unbeaten league position and win against Wigan Athletic in the 2006 Football League Cup Final. Manchester United regained its Premier League title in the 2006-07 season. They then completed its European double in 2007 and 2008 with the 6-5 win in a penalty shoot-out against Chelsea during their 2008 UEFA Champions League Final in Moscow to claim its seventeenth English League title. Ryan Giggs made a record 759th appearance for the club in that match and beat the record held by previous champion Bobby Charlton. In December 2008 the club was its first British team to take home the FIFA Club World Cup and then won in 2008 the Football League Cup, and its third consecutive Premier League title. In the summer of 2008 the player Cristiano Ronaldo was transferred for Real Madrid for a world record PS80 million. In 2010 Manchester United defeated Aston Villa by a score of 2-1 at Wembley to keep the League Cup, its first successful run at defending an knockout cup tournament.

After finishing runners-up to Chelsea during the 2009-10 season, United achieved a record 19th league title in the 2010-11 season winning the title with a 1-1 draw away with Blackburn Rovers on 14 May 2011. The club was awarded 20 league titles in 2012-13, and United secured the title with a convincing three-point home win over Aston Villa on 22 April 2013

2. Crest and colours

The club's crest comes by the Manchester City Council coat of arms, but all that's left on the current crest the ship with its sails in full. The devil is a reference to the nickname of the club "The Red Devils"; it was featured on scarves and club programs in the 1960s. Then, it was added to the club's crest in 1970. However, the crest wasn't placed at the top of the shirt before. In 1975 the devil in red ("A devil in front of the sinister guardian, supported by two hands a trident of gules") was approved as an emblem of heraldry through the College of Arms to the English Football League for use by Manchester United.

The uniform worn by Newton Heath in 1879, a year before the team played its first game in competition was recorded as "white and blue cord'. The photo from that Newton Heath team, taken in 1892, is believed depict the players in red and white quartered jerseys with navy blue Knickerbockers. In 1894-1896 the players wore gold and green jerseys, which was replaced with white shirts that came with blue navy shorts.

Following changing the club's name in 1902 club's colors were changed to white shorts, red shirts and black socks, that is now the most common Manchester United home kit. There were no changes to the kit prior to 1922, when the club adopted white shirts with a dark red "V" around the neck as did the shirt worn during 1909's FA Cup Final. They were in their kits for home use until 1927. In 1934, for a time the white and cherry hooped change shirt became their home colors, but in the following season, it was red that the shirt pulled following the club's worst ever position in the league of 20th place in the Second Division and the hooped shirt was reverted back to the standard. The socks that were black were switched to white between 1959 and 1965, when they were substituted with red socks up to 1971. White socks were occasionally, but after that the club returned to black. White socks and black shorts can be worn in conjunction together with the home strip usually in away games in the event of conflict with the opposing kit. In the 2018-19 season Black shorts with red socks were the main option in the kit for the team at home. In 1997-98, white socks were the primary option for European games which typically take place at night, in order to assist in ensuring visibility for players. The current uniform for home is red that has the iconic Adidas Three Stripes in Red on the shoulder, white shorts and black socks.

It is believed that the Manchester United away strip has typically consisted of a white shirt and black shorts with white socks, however there have been some variations. There was the all-black strip that had gold and blue trimmings from 1993 and 1995 and that navy blue shirt that had the silver horizontal pinstripes in the 1999-2000 period,[101] and the away jersey of 2011-12 with the royal blue body with sleeves with hoops that were made of tiny midnight navy black and blue stripes with blue socks and black shorts. The all-grey away kit that was worn in the 1995-96 season was discarded after only five games. In the final match in the game against Southampton, Alex Ferguson instructed the team to change into the third jersey at half-time. The reason it was dropped was that players reported having difficulty finding their teammates in the crowd. United did not play a competitive match wearing the outfit in five games. In 2001, in celebration of 100 years of "Manchester United" the reversible gold and white away kit was made available but the matchday shirts weren't convertible.

The third kit worn by the club typically is all blue; this was especially the scenario in the 2014-15 season. Some exceptions include a gold and green halves shirt worn from the years 1992 to 1994. There was also a blue-and white stripes shirt worn during the 1995-96 and 1994-95 seasons as well as in 1996-97 an all-black outfit that was worn during the 1998-99 Treble-winning season as well as white with black and red horizontal pinstripes, worn in between the years 2003-04 through 2005-06. From 2006-07 until 2013-14 it was the away kit of the previous season but it was updated to reflect the new sponsor for the club in the seasons 2006-07 and 2010, except for the 2008-09 season which saw an all-blue outfit was released to mark an anniversary 40 years after the 1967-1968 European Cup success

3. Stadium

United's current ground, Old Trafford, after its expansion in 2006

3.1. 1878–1893: North Road

Newton Heath initially played on the field located that was located on North Road, close to the railway yard. The initial capacity was around 12,000 but officials from the club found the facilities to be insufficient for a club that wanted to be a part of The Football League. The expansion began in 1887. In the year 1891 Newton Heath used its limited financial resources to purchase two grandstands that were able to accommodate more than 1,000 spectators. While attendances weren't recorded for many of the early games played at North Road, the highest recorded attendance was around 15,000 in an First Division match against Sunderland on the 4th of March in 1893. Similar attendances were reported for a friendly match with Gorton Villa on 5 September 1889.

3.2. 1893-1910: Bank Street

The ground was opened in June of 1893 the club was exiled out of North Road by its owners, Manchester Deans and Canons who believed it was not appropriate to charge an entrance fee for the field Secretary A. H. Albut secured permission to use the Bank Street ground in Clayton. It was initially without stands. However, by the time of the 1893-94 season two were constructed, one of them running the entire length of the field on one side, and one behind the goal on"the "Bradford the end". On the other side of the field, known as at the "Clayton end" it was the "Clayton end" that was "built upwith thousands of people being provided". Newton Heath's debut league game on Bank Street was played against Burnley on September 1, 1893. The crowd of 10,000 watched Alf Farman scoring a hat-trick. This was Newton Heath's only goal in a 3-2 victory. All the stands that were left constructed to play the league game with Nottingham Forest three weeks later. In October 1895, just prior to the appearance from Manchester City, the club bought a stand with a capacity of 2,000 at the Broughton Rangers club of the rugby league and erected a second structure located on"the "reserved section" (as different from the "popular team") However the weather limited number of spectators at Manchester City's game to just 12,000. Manchester City match to just 12,000.

In 1902, when it was discovered that the Bank Street ground was temporarily shut down to bailiffs during 1902 captain Harry Stafford raised enough money to fund the next away game in 1902 against Bristol City and found a temporary stadium in Harpurhey for the following reserve match against Padiham. In the wake of financial investments, the new president of the club John Henry Davies paid PS500 to build an additional 1,000-seat stadium at Bank Street. In just four years the Stadium was equipped with covered on every side, in addition to the capacity to accommodate 50,000 people who could view the game from the viewing gallery on the Main Stand.

3.3. 1910-present: Old Trafford

Following Manchester United's debut league title in 1908 as well as winning the FA Cup a year later It was determined to decide that Bank Street was too restrictive for Davies his ambitions and in February 1909, six months prior to the club's debut FA Cup title, Old Trafford was chosen as the new home for Manchester United, following the purchase of the land at around PS60,000. The architect Archibald Leitch was given a budget of around PS30,000 to construct the building the original plans included seating for 100,000 people, however, budget limitations led to a reduction to 77,000. The stadium was built in 1939 by Messrs Brameld and Smith of Manchester. The stadium's highest attendance was set on March 1939 in the FA Cup semi-final between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town drew 76,962 spectators.

Bombings during the Second World War destroyed much of the stadium. The central tunnel of the South Stand was all that remains of the quarter. Following this war ended, the team was awarded compensation through the War Damage Commission in the amount of P22,278. As reconstruction was taking place the team played its "home" matches in Manchester City's Maine Road ground; Manchester United was assessed a fee of PS5,000 per season in addition to a tiny proportion of gate revenues. Further improvements were made to the structure, including adding roofs initially towards the Stretford End and then to the North and East Stands. Roofs supported on pillars which hindered fans' views They were then removed to be replaced by cantilevered structures. Stretford End Stretford End was the last stand to get the cantilevered roof. It was finished just in time for the season 1993-1994. The first time it was used was on March 25, 1957, and costing PS40,000 Four 180 feet (55 m) Pylons were built and each housed 54 floodlights. The pylons were demolished in 1987, and replaced with an illumination system that was incorporated into the top of each stand. It is still in operation today.

The Taylor Report's demand to build a stadium with all seats reduced the capacity of Old Trafford to around 44,000 in 1993. In 1995 The North Stand was redeveloped into three levels, which increased capacity to 55,000. Then, at the close of the 1998-99 season levels were added to these stands. East as well as West Stands bringing capacity to 67,000 in the period between May 2005 and July 2005, 8,000 additional seats were added through additional tiers in those quadrants in the northwest and the northeast. The new seating was utilized at first on the 26th of March 2006, when a crowd of 69,070 set an all-time Premier League record. The record was gradually pushed up until it reached its highest on the 31st of March 2007 with 76,098 people watching Manchester United beat Blackburn Rovers 4-1, leaving just 114 seats (0.15 percent of the capacity of 76.212) empty. In 2009, a reorganisation of seating resulted in an increase in capacity from 75,957 to 255. Manchester United has the second highest average attendance among European football clubs, only second to Borussia Dortmund. In 2021, Manchester United chairman Joel Glazer said that "early-stage planning work" for the development of Old Trafford was underway. This was in response to "increasing criticism" regarding the insufficient progress in the years since 2006.

4. Support

Manchester United is one of the most popular soccer clubs around the globe with one of the largest standard home-attendances throughout Europe. The club claims that its global fans include more than 200 official recognised members belonging to the Manchester United Supporters Club (MUSC) with at least 24 nations. The club makes use of this support during its summer tour around the world. Accounting firm and experts in the industry of sports Deloitte estimates they believe that Manchester United has 75 million fans across the world. Manchester United is the third-highest social media followers in the world , among the sports clubs (after Barcelona and Real Madrid) and has more than 72 million followers on Facebook in July, 2020. A study from 2014 showed it was Manchester United had the loudest supporters of all in the Premier League.

Fans are represented in two separate bodies: The Independent Manchester United Supporters Association (IMUSA) that maintains close connections to the club via its MUFC Fans Forum, as well as Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST). Following the Glazer family's acquisition the club in 2005, a small group of supporters formed a separate team, F.C. United of Manchester. It is the West Stand of Old Trafford The "Stretford End" is home to the club and is the place that has traditionally been the club's loudest support.

5. Rivalries

Manchester United has rivalries with Arsenal, Leeds United, Liverpool as well as Manchester City, against whom they are battling in Manchester derby. Manchester derby.

The rivalry between Manchester and Liverpool has its roots in the rivalry between the two cities in the Industrial Revolution when Manchester was known because of its industry in textiles, while Liverpool was an important port. The two clubs are among the best-performing English teams in both international and domestic competitions. Together they have achieved 39 league titles as well as nine European Cups, 4 UEFA Cups and 5 UEFA Super Cups, 19 FA Cups, 13 League Cups and 2 FIFA Club World Cups, 1 Intercontinental Cup and 36 FA Community Shields. The rivalry is considered as one of the largest rivalries in the world of football and is the most renowned fixture of English football. The former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson declared in 2002 "My most memorable challenge was to knock Liverpool out of the way. perch".

"Roses Rivalry. "Roses Rivalry" with Leeds is a result of Leeds' involvement in the Wars of the Roses, that was fought between House of Lancaster and the House of York, with Manchester United representing Lancashire and Leeds representing Yorkshire.

The rivalry between Manchester United and Arsenal is a result of the many occasions that the two teams, along with manager Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have fought to win winning the Premier League title. They have won 33 titles in their history (20 for Manchester United, 13 for Arsenal) Manchester United, 13 for Arsenal) this match is now considered to be one of the best Premier League match-ups in history.

6. Global brand

Manchester United has been described as a global brand an analysis from 2011 of Brand Finance, valued the brand's trademarks as well as the associated intellectual property as £412 million, the increase was £39 million from the previous year. The report valued the brand at £11 million higher than the second-highest brands, Real Madrid - and it gave the brand a rating that was AAA (Extremely Strong). As of the month July, 2012 Manchester United was ranked first by Forbes magazine in its list of the top ten sports team brands, with a value of Manchester United at $2.23 billion. Manchester United brand at $2.23 billion. Manchester United is ranked as second in Deloitte Football Money League (behind Real Madrid and Barcelona). In January 2013 this club was the first football team worth $3 billion. Forbes magazine estimated the value of the team at $3.3 billion, which is $1.2 billion more than the second most valuable sports team. They were surpassed by Real Madrid for the next four years, however Manchester United returned to the top of the Forbes list in June of 2017 with a value of $3.689 billion.

The main strength of Manchester United's international image is often attributed to Matt Busby's re-building of the team and the subsequent successes following the Munich air tragedy, which received worldwide praise. "The "iconic" team consisted of Bobby Charlton and Nobby Stiles (members of England's World Cup winning team), Denis Law and George Best. The shrewd style of play used by this team (in contrary to the defensive "catenaccio" method used by the top Italian team of that time) "captured interest of English players". Busby's team was also associated with the expansion of Western society in the 1960s. George Best, known as the "Fifth Beatle" for his famous hairstyle was the first professional footballer to establish a significant off-field media image.

The second English soccer team to go public at the London Stock Exchange in 1991 The club was able to raise substantial capital, which was used to enhanced its strategy for commercial success. The emphasis on the success of its sports and commercial operations resulted in significant profit growth in an industry that is often plagued with constant losses. The power of the Manchester United brand was bolstered by the media's attention paid off to specific players including David Beckham (who quickly developed his own brand name). This kind of attention can lead to greater excitement for on-field activities and consequently, sponsorship opportunities , the value of which is determined by TV exposure. While at this club, Beckham's success throughout Asia was crucial to the club's success commercially across the world.

Since higher league positions result in a higher percentage of television rights, a successful performance in the field will generate greater revenue from the clubs. Since the start of the Premier League, Manchester United has enjoyed the highest share of the income generated by the BSkyB broadcasting agreement. Manchester United has also consistently earned the highest amount of commercial revenue from any English club. In 2005-06 the club's commercial division produced £51 million, which was compared the figures of £42.5 millions at Chelsea, £39.3 million at Liverpool, £34 million at Arsenal and £27.9 million at Newcastle United. The club's most significant sponsorship partnership was with the company that makes sportswear Nike who handled the club's merchandise operation as part of the £303 million, 13-year agreement between 2002 until the year 2015. By way of Manchester United Finance and the club's membership plan, One United, those who have a connection to Manchester United can buy various merchandise and services. In addition Manchester United-branded media products like the team's own television channel, MUTV - have allowed the club to increase its fan base outside the reach of its Old Trafford stadium.

7. Sponsorship

In the initial five-year contract that was worth £500,000, Sharp Electronics became the club's first shirt sponsor at starting of 1982/83 season. which lasted to the close of the 1999-2000 campaign, at which point Vodafone reached a deal for a four-year £30 million contract. Vodafone was willing for £36 millions to prolong the contract by four years. However, after two years, the club was forced to invoke the break clause to focus on sponsorship of the Champions League.

In the beginning of the 2006-07 football season, American insurance company AIG signed a four-year £56.5 million contract that was signed in September 2006 and became one of the most expensive in the world. In the first week of the 2010-11 season American Reinsurance company Aon was the team's main sponsor, signing a four-year agreement that is believed to be worth £80 million, which is an extremely lucrative sponsorship contract in the history of football. Manchester United announced their first training kit sponsor in August of 2011 signing a four-year contract with DHL that was reported as worth £40 million. It's thought to have been the first time of sponsorship of the training kit within English football. The DHL contract lasted more than an entire year, and the club purchased back the contract in the month of October in 2012, however, they continued to be the official logistics partner of the club. The contract for training kit sponsorship was transferred Aon Aon on April 13, 2013, for the sum of £180 million over the course of eight years. It included the purchase of name rights for the Trafford Training Centre.

The initial kit maker for the club was Umbro up until the agreement for a five-year period was reached by Admiral Sportswear in 1975. Adidas signed the deal in 1980, but Umbro began a second stint in 1992. Umbro's sponsorship was for 10 years, which was followed by Nike's record breaking £302.9 million contract that ran until 2015. 3.8 millions replicas of shirts sold over the initial 22 months with Umbro's company. Alongside Nike and Chevrolet The club has other low-level "platinum" partners, like Aon as well as Budweiser.

On the 30th of July, 2012, United agreed to a seven-year agreement with American automotive company General Motors, which replaced Aon as shirt sponsor starting in until the start of the 2014-15 football season. The new deal of $80m per year will cost $559 million over seven years . The shirt also sports the logo of the General Motors brand Chevrolet. Nike announced that they will not renew their supply agreement for kits in partnership with Manchester United after the 2014-15 season due to rising costs. Since the beginning of the 2015-16 campaign, Adidas has been manufacturing Manchester United's kits in a record-breaking 10-year agreement that is worth an average of £750 million. The manufacturer of plumbing products Kohler was chosen as the club's initial shirt sponsor prior to this season. Manchester United and General Motors have not renewed their sponsorship agreement after which the club signed a five-year £235m sponsorship agreement with TeamViewer prior to the season 2021-22.

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor (chest) Shirt sponsor (sleeve)
1945–1975 Umbro
1975–1980 Admiral
1980–1982 Adidas
1982–1992 Sharp Electronics
1992–2000 Umbro
2000–2002 Vodafone
2002–2006 Nike
2006–2010 AIG
2010–2014 Aon
2014–2015 Chevrolet
2015–2018 Adidas
2018–2021 Kohler
2021– TeamViewer

8. Ownership and finances

Funded initially by The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company and later incorporated as an LLC in the year 1892. The company offered shares to supporters in the local area for £1 by filling out an application. In 1902, the majority of ownership passed to 4 local entrepreneurs who put in £500 to help save the club from financial ruin and included the club's future chairman John Henry Davies. Following the death of Davies in 1927 the club was facing bankruptcy and the club was saved on December 31, 1931, thanks to James W. Gibson, who took control of the club following an investment of $2000. Gibson was promoted his son Alan into the club's board of directors in 1948 however, he passed away three years later. The Gibson family still owned this club via James his daughter, Lillian, but the chairmanship went to the former football player Harold Hardman.

In the wake of being promoted to the board couple of days following the Munich air crash, Louis Edwards, a close friend of Matt Busby, began acquiring shares of the club. for a sum of £40,000, he acquired the shares of 54 per cent and was appointed chairman on January 14, 1964. In the event that Lillian Gibson died in January 1971, her shares were transferred over to Alan Gibson who sold a portion from his stake in the club to Louis Edwards' son, Martin who died in 1978. Martin Edwards became chairman in the following year. become chairman following the death of his father in the year 1980. Media billionaire Robert Maxwell attempted to buy the club in 1984, but could not achieve Edwards's asking price. In 1989, the chairman Martin Edwards attempted to sell the club to Michael Knighton for £20 million However, the sale was not successful and Knighton joined the board of directors instead.

Manchester United was floated on the market in June 1991 (raising £6.7 million) and then was hit with another takeover offer during 1998. The time was by Rupert Murdoch's British Sky Broadcasting Corporation. The result was the creation of Shareholders United Against Murdoch - which is now known as the Manchester Supporters' Trust, which advised supporters to purchase shares of the club, in an effort to stop the potential for a hostile purchase. It was in the end that Manchester United board accepted a PS623 million offer, however the purchase was rejected from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission at the last hurdle in April 1999. In the following year, an internal power struggle erupted between the club's manager Alex Ferguson, and his racing team, John Magnier and J. P. McManus, who were gradually becoming owners with the largest shareholding. In a dispute that arose from a dispute over control of the race horses Rock of Gibraltar, Magnier and McManus sought to have Ferguson taken off his role as manager. The board reacted by reaching out to investors in an attempt to decrease the shareholding of the Irishmen.

8.1. Glazer ownership

On May 5, 2005 Malcolm Glazer purchased the 28.7 percent stake owned by McManus and Magnier which gave him an ownership stake by way of his investing vehicle Red Football Ltd in a highly leveraged acquisition that valued the club at £800 million (then approximately. $1.5 billion). After the purchase was completed the club was then taken out of the market. Much of the money taken over was borrowed from the Glazers The debts were passed onto the Club. The club went from not having debt to being shackled with loans that totaled £540 million, with rates of interest ranging from 7 to 20 percent.

The club announced in July of 2006 that Manchester United announced the announcement of a £660 million loan refinancing program which resulted in a 30% percent reduction in interest payments per year to £62 million annually. In January of 2010 with debts that totalled £716.5 millions ($1.17 billion),[195[195 Manchester United further refinanced through the issue of bonds that cost £504 million, which allowed the club to pay off the majority part of £509 million due in international bank accounts. The annual rate of interest due for the bonds - that were due to expire on February 1, 2017 - is around £45 million annually. Despite the restructuring the club's debt, it caused protests by fans on January 23rd, 2010 in Old Trafford and the club's Trafford Training Centre. Fans groups from the supporter community urged match-goers to wear gold and green in the colors that are associated with Newton Heath. On the 30th of January, news were released that the Manchester united Supporters' Trust held discussions with a group of wealthy supporters, who were dubbed"the "Red Knights" and had plans of buy out the Glazers who control the club's interest. The club's debts reached an all-time high in the amount of £777 million as of the end of June.

In August of 2011 the Glazers were reported to have contacted Credit Suisse in preparation for the possibility of a 1 billion (approx. £600 million) initial public offering (IPO) on the Singapore stock exchange. This could value the club at over £2 billion. However in July 2012, it was announced by the Glazers that they were planning to put its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange instead. The shares were initially scheduled to be sold for between $16 and $20 per share however, the price was reduced to $14 at the time of the date of the IPO on August 10, in response to negative remarks by Wall Street analysts and Facebook's disappointing debut on the stock market in May. After the reduction, Manchester United was valued at $2.3 billion which makes it the most expensive football club in the world.

It is the New York Stock Exchange allows the different shareholders to have different voting rights within the club. Shares sold to the general members of the public ("Class A") included 10 times less vote rights than the shares owned in the hands of shareholders called Glazers ("Class B"). In the beginning of 2012, only 10 percent of shares were made available to the general public. Since 2019 it is the Glazers have the ultimate say over the club, and hold more than 70% shares and even greater the power to vote.

The year 2012 was the last time The Guardian estimated that the club paid more than £500 million in interest on its debts and other fees for the Glazers In 2019, the newspaper The Guardian it was reported that the amount that the club had paid for these fees had risen up to £1 billion. As of the end of 2019 the club was in net debt of around £400 million.

9. Coaching staff

Manchester United Coaching staff
Position Country Staff
Manager Netherlands Erik ten Hag
Assistant coaches Netherlands Mitchell van der Gaag
Steve McClaren
First-team coaches England Eric Ramsay
Senior goalkeeping coach Wales Richard Hartis
Assistant goalkeeping coach England Craig Mawson
Head of football medicine & science (first-team doctor) England Steve McNally
Head of athletic performance England Richard Hawkins
Head of rehabilitation and physiotherapy England Robin Sadler
Fitness coaches

Italy

England

Paulo Gaudino

Charlie Owen

First-team strength and power coach England Michael Clegg
First-team lead sports scientist England Edward Leng
Head of academy England Nick Cox
Head of player development & coaching (U17–U23) Ireland Travis Binnion
Under-18s lead coach
Under-23s lead coach England Mark Dempsey
Professional Development Phase coach Ireland Paul McShane

9.1. Managerial history

Manchester United Managerial History
Dates Country Name Notes
1878–1892   Unknown  
1892–1900 England A. H. Albut  
1900–1903 England James West  
1903–1912 England Ernest Mangnall  
1912–1914 England John Bentley  
1914–1921 England Jack Robson  
1921–1926 Scotland John Chapman  
1926–1927 England Lal Hilditch Player-manager
1927–1931 England Herbert Bamlett  
1931–1932 England Walter Crickmer  
1932–1937 Scotland Scott Duncan  
1937–1945 England Walter Crickmer  
1945–1969 Scotland Matt Busby  
1958 Wales Jimmy Murphy Caretaker manager
1969–1970 England Wilf McGuinness  
1970–1971 Wales Matt Busby  
1971–1972 Ireland Frank O'Farrell  
1972–1977 Wales Tommy Docherty  
1977–1981 England Dave Sexton  
1981–1986 England Ron Atkinson  
1986–2013 Scotland Alex Ferguson  
2013–2014 Scotland David Moyes  
2014 Wales Ryan Giggs Interim player-manager
2014–2016 Netherlands Louis van Gaal  
2016–2018 Portugal José Mourinho  
2018–2021 Norway Ole Gunnar Solskjær  
2021 England Michael Carrick Caretaker manager
2021–2022 Germany Ralf Rangnick Interim manager
2022– Netherlands Erik ten Hag
 

10. Management

Owner: Glazer family via Red Football Shareholder Limited

10.1. Manchester United Limited

Manchester United Limited Management
Position Name
Co-chairmen Avram Glazer
Joel Glazer
Chief executive Richard Arnold
Chief financial officer Cliff Baty
Chief operating officer Collette Roche
Non-executive directors Bryan Glazer
Kevin Glazer
Edward Glazer
Darcie Glazer Kassewitz
Robert Leitão
John Hooks
Manu Sawhney

10.2. Manchester United Football Club

Manchester United Football Club Management
Office Name
Honorary president Martin Edwards
Directors David Gill
Michael Edelson
Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Alex Ferguson
Club secretary Rebecca Britain
Football director John Murtough
Deputy football director Andy O'Boyle
Technical director Darren Fletcher
Director of football operations Alan Dawson

11. Honours

Manchester United is one of the most successful clubs in Europe with regards to the amount of trophies which they have won. The first trophy the club won came in the form of that of the Manchester Cup, which they were awarded in the form of Newton Heath LYR in 1886. The club in 1908 was awarded its first ever league championship and they also won their first FA Cup for the first time in 1909. Since then, they've been able to claim the record-breaking number of top division titles, including a record-breaking 13 Premier League titles - and their total of 12 FA Cups is second only to Arsenal (14). These titles mean that the club has played at a record number of times during the FA Community Shield (formerly the FA Charity Shield), which takes place at the start of every season, between the teams that won the league as well as the FA Cup from the previous season. Of the 30 games, Manchester United have won an unprecedented 21 times of them, including four occasions when the game was not drawn, and shared by both clubs.

The club was successful during the time under the leadership under Matt Busby, starting with the FA Cup in 1948 and culminating in being the very first English club to take home the European Cup in 1968, having won five league titles over the years that followed. The most successful period for the club was the 90s, during the time of Alex Ferguson; five league titles as well as 4 FA Cups, one League Cup and five Charity Shields (one shared) and the one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup the UEFA Super Cup and one Intercontinental Cup. United has achieved three times the Double (winning both the Premier League and FA Cup in the same year) three times. The second time in 1995-96, they become the first team to win it twice and the result was known in the "Double Double". United was the only British club to be awarded the Intercontinental Cup in 1999 and they are among only three British clubs that have been crowned the FIFA Club World Cup, in 2008. The year 1999 was the time that United was the very only English club to be awarded the Treble.

The most recent trophy for the club was awarded in May of 2017 by winning the 2016-17 UEFA Europa League. With the win, United became the fifth club to win the "European Triple" of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League and Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup/Europa Cup following Juventus, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

11.1. Domestic

League
  • First Division/Premier League[nb 4]
    • Winners (20; record): 1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
  • Second Division[nb 4]
    • Winners (2): 1935–36, 1974–75

Cups

  • FA Cup
    • Winners (12): 1908–09, 1947–48, 1962–63, 1976–77, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2015–16
  • Football League Cup/EFL Cup
    • Winners (5): 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2016–17
  • FA Charity Shield/FA Community Shield
    • Winners (21; record): 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965*, 1967*, 1977*, 1983, 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 (* shared)

11.2. European

  • European Cup/UEFA Champions League
    • Winners (3): 1967–68, 1998–99, 2007–08
  • European Cup Winners' Cup
    • Winners (1): 1990–91
  • UEFA Europa League
    • Winners (1): 2016–17
  • European Super Cup
    • Winners (1): 1991

11.3. Worldwide

  • Intercontinental Cup
    • Winners (1; British record): 1999
  • FIFA Club World Cup
    • Winners (1; British joint record): 2008

11.4. Doubles and Trebles

  • Doubles
    • League and FA Cup (3): 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99
    • League and UEFA Champions League (2): 1998–99, 2007–08
    • League and EFL Cup (1): 2008–09
    • EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League (1): 2016–17
  • Trebles
    • League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League (1): 1998–99
  • Especially short competitions - such as the Charity/Community Shield, Intercontinental Cup (now defunct), FIFA Club World Cup or UEFA Super Cup - are not generally considered to contribute towards a Double or Treble.