-
United history: 1878 to 1909. Newton Heath
Manchester United Football Club was first formed in 1878, albeit under a different name - Newton Heath LYR (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway). Little suspecting the impact they were about to have on the national, even global game, the workers in the railway yard at Newton Heath indulged their passion for association football with games against other departments of the LYR and other railway companies. -
United history: 1910 to 1919. Reds skipper Charlie Roberts prepares for a 1912 clash with Arsenal.
By 1910, the club had moved lock, stock and barrel from their old home of Bank Street. United's opening fixture at Old Trafford was played on 19 February 1910. The new hosts lost 4-3 to their first visitors Liverpool, but the stadium was successful in accommodating an 80,000 capacity crowd. -
United History: 1920-1929. A group of Reds gather at the start of the decade.
Manchester United returned to League football on 30 August 1919, following a four-year gap caused by the First World War. The team for that first match back against Derby County included many new faces - in fact only two of the men on duty had played in United's previous league game at the end of the 1914/15 season. Billy Meredith was still at Old Trafford, but reaching the end of his illustrious Old Trafford career. He made only 19 appearances in 1919/20 when United finished 12th -
United History: 1930-1939. This decade ushered in one of United's greatest-ever full-backs, Johnny Carey.
The highlight of Duncan and Crickmer's season was the discovery of Johnny Carey, who would later be recognised as one of the greatest full-backs in football history. Playing 32 games and scoring six goals in a more advanced role, the Irishman helped United to stay up this time, finishing 14th, while City took their turn to be relegated. There was no time to gloat, however - the outbreak of war put the Football League on hold again, for several years. -
United history: 1940-1949. 1945 brought the beginning of Manchester United's coach Sir Matt Busby legendary tale.
The outbreak of the Second World War forced football to the very back of people's minds between 1939 and 1946. But even in the absence of League football, Old Trafford was still the focus of attention. Busby joined the Reds in 1945, initially on a five-year contract. Little did he know he would still be managing the club 25 years later! The young boss did not waste any time making his mark, altering the positions of several key players: Jimmy Delaney, Stan Pearson, Jack Rowley, Charlie Mitten. -
United history 1950-1959: Munich air disaster.
European Cup. Against Red Star Belgrade they won again 5-4, this time on aggregate but, on the way home, the celebrations were cut short by tragedy. After refuelling in Munich on 6 February 1958, the United aeroplane crashed, killing 22 people, including seven players – Byrne, Colman, Jones, Pegg, Taylor, Geoff Bent and Liam Whelan. Duncan Edwards died of his injuries 15 days later in a German hospital. The club, the city of Manchester and the English game entered a long period of mourning. -
United history: 1960-1969. Ten years on from Munich, Sir Matt achieved his European Cup dream.
In 1966/67, United were crowned League champions again and another season of European Cup football was guaranteed. This time, United would go all the way, beating Benfica in the final at Wembley. Jaime Graca equalised Charlton's headed goal to take the game into extra-time, but further goals from Best, Brian Kidd and Charlton gave United their first European Cup. Just 10 years after Sir Matt had seen his dream team destroyed, he had performed the impossible. He was knighted soon afterwards. -
United history: 1970-1979. The Doc's victorious Reds parade the FA Cup in '77.
United then reached successive FA Cup finals, losing to the Second Division Saints in 1976, but beating Liverpool 2-1 a year later. The Doc's men rose perfectly to the task of destroying Liverpool's Treble hopes – the Merseyside club won the League Championship and the European Cup on either side of United's triumph. The joy of that win didn't last very long for the Doc, however. a decade of high drama when great highs and lows were never far apart. -
United history: 1980-1989. A historic appointment in 1986 followed – Sir Alex took the reins.
In November 1986, United at last appointed a proven winner. At Aberdeen, Alex Ferguson had claimed every prize that Scotland had to offer, not to mention the added bonus of the European Cup Winners' Cup when his team defied the odds to beat Real Madrid in the final. The club remained patient as the Reds finished eleventh in 1986/87 and again in 1988/89. After all, the season in between, 1987/88, had offered encouraging signs as United finished second to Liverpool by winning eight and drawing two -
United history: 1990-1999. A dramatic European Cup final win sealed 1999's historic Treble.
-
United history: 2000-2009. 2008's Champions League triumph – the greatest moment in a fine decade.
-
United history: 2010 onwards. Sir Alex ended a glittering United career with the Reds' 20th league title.
