Manchester United history
From Newton Heath to Old Trafford, the people and moments that shaped United.
1878
Founded as Newton Heath LY&R
Formed by the employees of Carriage and Wagon department of Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company and funded by the company itself. The team wore the colors of the railway company - green and gold and played matches against other departments of the company and other railway companies.1892 – 1893
Participation in First Division
With the merging of Football Alliance (that Newton Heath was associated to) with the Football League, the club started the 1892–93 season in the First Division. The club had then become a limited company, independent of the railway company, also dropping 'L&YR' from its name.24 April 1902
Renamed to 'Manchester United Football Club'
The club faced financial problems in early 1900s and Harry Stafford, the club captain, used his St. Bernard dog as one of the attractions to collect funding. The dog found its way to John Henry Davies, a local brewer, who then wished to keep the dog for her daughter. Stafford convinced Davies to finance the club in return and Davies along with three other businessmen invested £2,000 to save the club and gave it a new identity in his presidency. On 24th of April 1902, The club was renamed to 'Manchester United Football Club' and the team colors were also changed to red and white.1908
FA Charity Shield
Manchester United won the first ever Charity Shield (now called FA Community Shield) in 1908 by beating Queens Parks Rangers at Stamford Bridge, under Ernest Mangnall's management.1910
Inauguration of The Old Trafford
With financial aid by John Henry Davies, the construction of football stadium started in 1908. Manchester United played their first match at Old Trafford on 19 February 1910 losing 3-4 to Liverpool in a dramatic match.1945
Matt Busby appointed as Manager
Matt Busby was given managerial role as football resumed after the World War. Busby was the first manager to demand and get complete control over team selection, player transfers and training. Since OT was bombed during WWII, United played their matches at Manchester City's ground Maine Road till 1949.1946 – 1957
The Busby Babes
Busby completely overhauled the team and replaced older players with younger ones from Youth and Reserve Teams. United finished second in 1946-47 season and won the FA Cup in 1948 which was their first major trophy in 37 years. In 1952, the club won the First Division title after 41 years with a team of the average age 22, which were labelled "The Busby Babes" by the media. The team featured young stars like Duncan Edwards and Bill Foulkes. In 1957, Manchester United became the first English club to participate in European Cup. United lost to Real Madrid in the semis. Bobby Charlton made his United debut on 6 October 1956. The team won FA charity shield in 1956 and 1957, consecutively.6 October 1956
Bobby Charlton makes his United debut
Bobby Charlton made his first-team debut against Charlton Athletic.
6 February 1958
Munich Air Disaster
In their second participation in the European Cup in 1958, the Busby Babes won the quarter-finals 5-4 on aggregate against Red Star Belgrade, advancing to their second successive semi-finals. The chartered plane that carried the players, staffs and supporters left from Belgrade, Yugoslavia on February 6 but crashed while trying to take off after refueling at Munich. The crash claimed 23 lives including eight players - Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Billy Whelan; and injured several more.1959 – 1967
The Rebuilding of the Red Devils
Matt Busby, after recovering from the injury himself, took charge of the rebuilding process signing players like Denis Law and Pat Crerand. The year 1963 saw the debut of young forward George Best. Busby declared the club should be called 'The Red Devils' as it would sound intimidating to the opponents. United started enjoying success again in the sixties with help from their holy trinity of Best, Law and Charlton. United won the FA Cup in 1963 and the English league title in 1965 and 1967.29 May 1968
First European Success
In 1968, Manchester United played Benfica in the European Cup Final at Wembley. United won the match 4-1 on extra time with two goals from Bobby Charlton and a goal each from George Best and Brian Kidd. Manchester United were the first English club to conquer Europe.1969 – 1972
Post-Busby Years
After Busby left managerial duties, then reserve team coach and former United player Wilf McGuinness was given the duty of managing the ageing United team. United finished 8th in his first season, 3 positions above from that of Busby's last year. McGuinness was sacked the next year after poor exit from League Cup. Busby was reappointed as manager until the end of the season. He rescued the team from relegation zone to the 8th position. Frank O'Farrell was named as Manchester United's new manager in June 1971. United finished eighth again in his first season. George Best was already becoming a problem with his erratic behaviors. O'Farrell was sacked in December.1973 – 1977
Tom Docherthy's Management
Tom Docherty saved Manchester United from relegation after replacing O'Farrell, only to see them relegated in 1974; by that time the trio of Best, Law, and Charlton had left the club. The team won promotion at the first attempt and reached the FA Cup final in 1976, but were beaten by Southampton. They reached the final again in 1977, beating Liverpool 2–1 and denying the Kops the Treble. "The Doc" was dismissed shortly afterwards, following the revelation of his affair with the club physiotherapist's wife.1977 – 1981
Dave Sexton's Management
Dave Sexton replaced Docherty as manager in the summer of 1977. Despite major signings, including Joe Jordan, Gordon McQueen, Gary Bailey, and Ray Wilkins, the team failed to achieve any significant results; they finished in the top two in 1979–80 and lost to Arsenal in the 1979 FA Cup Final. During his years, he signed players like Ray Wilkins, Joe Jordan and Gordon McQueen. Sexton was dismissed in 1981, even though the team won the last seven games under his direction.1981 – 1986
Ron Atkinson's Management
David Sexton was replaced by Ron Atkinson, who immediately broke the British record transfer fee to sign Bryan Robson from West Bromwich Albion. Under Atkinson, Manchester United won the FA Cup twice in three years – in 1983 and 1985. In 1985–86, after 13 wins and two draws in its first 15 matches, the club was favourite to win the league, but finished in fourth place. The following season, with the club in danger of relegation by November, Atkinson was dismissed.1986 – 1990
Arrival of Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson joined Manchester United from Aberdeen on 6 November 1986, the same day that previous manager Ron Atkinson was dismissed, and immediately set about rebuilding the club's youth system. United finished 11th in his first season. The following season, Manchester United finished runners-up in the league, nine points behind champions Liverpool, giving supporters cause to be optimistic for next season. In his third season (1988-89), Ferguson brought back Mark Hughes from Barcelona and also signed 17 year old winger Lee Sharpe. Many youth players were introduced because of injuries to first-team players. United finished 11th in the season. In 1990, according to reports, Ferguson was on the verge of being sacked, but victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Final replay after a 3–3 draw saved his career. However, the club finished 13th, their lowest since returning to the first division in 1975; just five points above the relegation zone.1993 – 2013
Sir Alex Ferguson’s era
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, United won the inaugural Premier League season in 1993, ending a 26-year wait for the English league title and beginning a remarkable run of success.
On 26 May 1999, United beat Bayern Munich 2–1 in Barcelona to complete the Treble: the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. On 21 May 2008, they beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow to win the club’s third European Cup, alongside the Premier League title that season.
A 3–0 win over Aston Villa on 22 April 2013 secured United’s 20th English league title. Ferguson announced his retirement on 8 May 2013 after more than 26 years in charge. His United teams won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups. They also won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, as well as multiple Charity/Community Shields.
21 May 2016
FA Cup returns to Old Trafford
Jesse Lingard’s extra-time goal secured a 2–1 win over Crystal Palace and United’s 12th FA Cup.
26 February 2017
League Cup win at Wembley
United beat Southampton 3–2 in the League Cup final, with Zlatan Ibrahimović scoring the winner.
24 May 2017
First Europa League title
United beat Ajax 2–0 in Stockholm, completing the club’s set of major UEFA trophies.
26 February 2023
League Cup won again
United beat Newcastle United 2–0 at Wembley to win a sixth League Cup.
12 May 2024
Women win their first FA Cup
United’s women’s team lifted the FA Cup for the first time.
25 May 2024
FA Cup victory over Manchester City
United beat Manchester City 2–1 at Wembley to lift a 13th FA Cup.