History.. 

Newton Heath and early years.. 


Manchester United were originally founded as Newton Heath Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Football Club, initially competing against other departments and railway companies. The teams first recorded match took place on November 20, 1880: a 6-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers.


The club would change their name to Manchester United in April 1902 after being served with a winding up order due to unpaid debts. United went on to win their first top tier title in 1908 when they won the First Division - the first of many..  

United would be relegated in 1922, however they gained promotion back to the top flight three years later in 1925. The club were promoted and relegated numerous times in the 1930s. 

Matt Busby..

 

Matt Busby became United manager in 1945 and would go on to win five First Division titles, two FA Cups, five Charity Shields and also the European Cup in 1967-68 in his time at Old Trafford.


The Munich Air Disaster on February 6, 1958 tragically claimed the lives of 23 people on board including 8 United first team players: Duncan Edwards, Tommy Taylor, Eddie Colman, Geoff Bent, Billy Whelan, David Pegg, Roger Byrne and Mark Jones.

 

The squad was travelling home from their European Cup quarter final match against Red Star Belgrade - the game ended 3-3 which meant United won 5-4 on aggregate. Busby himself was seriously hurt in the crash but would survive his injuries. 

United assistant manager Jimmy Murphy took interim charge of the team in Busby's absence and his makeshift side went on to reach the final of the FA Cup, where they would lose to Bolton Wanderers. They also lost to AC Milan in the semi final of the European Cup. 

After recovering from his injuries Busby would return as manager and rebuilt the team, bringing in players such as George Best, Denis Law and Paddy Crerand. The Scot would lead his side to European glory in 1968 with United beating Benfica 4-2 in the final at Wembley. 

 

Busby stepped down as United manager the following year in 1969 and was replaced by former United player Wilf McGuiness. McGuiness struggled to replicate his predecessor's success though and Busby would return as manager in 1970 on an interim basis. 

O'Farrell, Docherty and Sexton..


Frank O'Farrell was appointed as manager in June 1971, however he would only be in the job less than 18 months before being replaced by Tommy Docherty. Follow the departure of club legends George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, United were relegated in 1974 but would return to the top flight at the first attempt.

 

Docherty guided United to FA Cup success in 1977, beating arch rivals Liverpool 2-1 in the final - however he would be dismissed shortly afterwords and replaced by Dave Sexton. Despite some high profile signings Sexton would struggle and United failed to win any silverware during his four years in charge at Old Trafford. 


Ron Atkinson.. 


Ron Atkinson replaced Sexton in 1981 and quickly broke the British transfer record by signing Bryan Robson from West Bromich Albion. "Big Ron" would guide United to FA Cup success twice, winning the famous competition in 1983 and 1985. 

United made a strong start in the First Division in the 1985-86 season, however would end up finishing in fourth place. Atkinson was dismissed the following season with the club down near the bottom of the table and was replaced by Alex Ferguson.  

Alex Ferguson.. 


Alex Ferguson arrived from Aberdeen in November 1986 having won three Scottish Premier Division titles, four Scottish Cups, one Scottish League Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup during an eight year spell in charge at Pittodrie. 

After an underwhelming first few years in M16, the Scot would lead his side to FA Cup glory in 1990 - beating Crystal Palace in the final in a replay at the old Wembley, with left back Lee Martin scoring the winning goal - the first final had ended 3-3 five days earlier.

 

The following campaign saw more silverware for the Red Devils with United winning the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1991 - Fergie's men defeated Spanish giants Barcelona 2-1 in the final in Rotterdam, with two goals from Welsh forward Mark Hughes.