OFFICIAL SPONSORS

   

STC Official Integrated Telecommunications Partner of Manchester United for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Telecom, the largest telecommunications services provider in the Middle East, and Manchester United Football Club, the European and English Premier League Champions 2007/08, have signed a five year agreement uniting the two number one brands in marketing campaigns and promotional activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Telecom has exclusive rights as the official mobile communications partner of Manchester United in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with access to unique mobile phone content, including video highlights of goals and match footage, ringtones, text and news alerts.
For more information visit: www.stc.com.sa.

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Kansai Paint Official Paint Partner of Manchester United

Kansai Paint was founded in 1918 and has since grown into a global paint and coatings business with exceptional values, ethics and good governance. As a result it is among the top ten coatings companies in the world.
Kansai Paint is the largest coatings manufacturer in Japan and Africa, with leading market positions in India, China and South East Asia. It also has operations in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East and has a vision to grow to be the world number one coatings company within the next ten years.
Both Kansai Paint and Manchester United Football Club have a long history of success and a deep desire to succeed in the future. Kansai is seeking to develop not only its presence in new markets but will also augment its position in existing markets.
Kansai’s partnership with Manchester United is a further demonstration of Kansai’s desire to become a global leader in the coatings industry.
Click here to learn more about Kansai Paint.

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THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB Official Partner of Manchester United

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.

See more information on www.hkjc.com/youthfootball

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Apollo Tyres Official Tyre Partner of Manchester United in UK and India

About Apollo Tyres
Apollo Tyres Ltd is a high-performance tyre manufacturer headquartered in India. It is built around the core principles of creating stakeholder value through reliability in its products and dependability in its relationships. The company has four manufacturing units in India, four in Southern Africa and one in the Netherlands. Apollo's subsidiary companies are Apollo Tyres South Africa Pty Ltd (previously known as Dunlop Tyres) and Apollo Vredestein BV in the Netherlands. India, South Africa and Europe are the company’s three domestic markets from where products are exported to over 100 countries. In each of the domestic markets the company operates through a vast network of branded, exclusive and multi-product outlets.

Launched in 2013, the partnership with Manchester United will initially focus on the UK and India. As part of this association, Apollo Tyres will look to create 'go the distance' pitches in communities using recycled rubber to encourage healthy lifestyles among youngsters and also develop their football skills.

Click here to find out more about Apollo Tyres.

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TM Official Integrated Telecommunications partner of Manchester United in Malaysia

TM, Malaysia’s leading integrated telecommunications provider and Manchester United, the most successful premier league club have signed a five year contract linking the two brands in marketing campaigns and promotions throughout Malaysia.
TM, as the Official Integrated Telecommunications Partner of Manchester United in Malaysia will have exclusive rights within the territory of Malaysia with unrivalled access to unique MU content. The partnership will allow TM to launch innovative marketing campaigns in Malaysia and will give fans the chance to win trips to Old Trafford and watch the team play.

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GLOBACOM Official Integrated Telecommunications Partner of Manchester United for Nigeria, Ghana, Republic of Benin

Globacom, Africa's leading integrated telecom operator, and Manchester United, English Premier League Champions 2008/09, have signed a five-year sponsorship contract uniting the two brands in marketing campaigns and promotional activities in the Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic. Globacom would have exclusive marketing rights in these territories with access to unique mobile phone content, including video highlights of goals and match footage, ringtones, ringback tones, match images, text and news alerts.

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VIVA KUWAIT Official Integrated Telecommunications partner of Manchester United in Kuwait

Kuwait Telecommunications Company VIVA, the newest and most advanced mobile telecommunications service provider in Kuwait, has signed an official five season sponsorship agreement with Manchester United Football Club, the most successful football club in the history of English football.
VIVA Kuwait is the official mobile communications partner of Manchester United in the State of Kuwait thus giving its customers access to exclusive Manchester United mobile phone content, including live news, images, wall papers, ringtones, ring back tones, games and possibilities to win unique travels to see Manchester United live at Old Trafford. VIVA continuously strives to make things possible for its customers and has engaged in a promising and successful, five season sponsorship with Manchester United.
To find out more about the new sponsorship, please visit our website at: www.viva.com.kw

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AIRTEL Official Telecommunications Partner of Manchester United in India/Sri Lanka/Seychelles/Bangladesh.

Airtel comes to you from Bharti Airtel Limited, India's largest integrated and the first private telecom services provider with a footprint in all the 23 telecom circles.
Bharti Airtel since its inception has been at the forefront of technology and has steered the course of the telecom sector in the country with its world class products and services. The businesses at Bharti Airtel have been structured into three individual strategic business units (SBU's) - Mobile Services, Airtel Telemedia Services & Enterprise Services.
The mobile business provides mobile & fixed wireless services using GSM technology across 23 telecom circles while the Airtel Telemedia Services business offers broadband & telephone services in 95 cities and has recently launched India's best Direct-to-Home (DTH) service, Airtel digital TV.
The Enterprise services provide end-to-end telecom solutions to corporate customers and national & international long distance services to carriers. All these services are provided under the Airtel brand.
Visit us at http://www.airtel.in

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A.P. HONDA Official Motorcycle Partner of Manchester United in Thailand

A.P. Honda Co., Ltd was established on March 1st 1986, through a joint deal between Honda Motor Co., Ltd and P. Thailand Company. The company is dedicated to supplying its customers with the highest quality products at affordable prices through a strong dealer network of over 900 stores, utilising the Honda brand in Thailand.

As an organisation A.P. Honda are committed to meeting the needs of its customers, and as such has created a policy over the years to build motorcycles that bring the product and customer closer together.

Enjoying market leader status for over 20 years, A.P. Honda continues to grow from strength to strength and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011 with record figures. To commemorate the partnership between A.P. Honda and Manchester United a limited edition club motorcycle was manufactured.

As a strong socially responsible corporate citizen we always strive to address important environmental and safety issues, helping the people of Thailand as much as possible.

For more information please visit http://www.aphonda.co.th/

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AIRTEL Africa Official Telecoms Partner in Burkina Faso, Chad, DR Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Congo Brazzaville

Airtel Africa is owned by Bharti Airtel Limited, a leading global telecommunications company with operations across Asia and Africa. The company currently has over 205 million customers in total – with over 42 million in its African operations which span 16 countries including: Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
In addition to its commitment to making mobile communications affordable to all, airtel is well aware of its social responsibilities, and remains committed to delivering a positive impact in the communities in which it operates. The company aims to do this by actively engaging in innovative social engagement projects involving community development, sport and music.
For more information, visit www.africa.airtel.com

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ZONG Official Telecommunications partner of Manchester United in Pakistan

Zong is the fastest growing telecommunications brand in Pakistan and it is owned by China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak), the first international subsidiary of China Mobile Company. China Mobile has the worlds largest mobile network and customer base and it was ranked 16th in Financial Times' Global 500 (2011).

Zong is focused on innovative technology that keeps pace with today's fast evolving culture. We are a family of over twelve million customers with a champion mentality that makes our partnership with Manchester United a natural fit. Like the coveted club, we know it's all about winning performance. Our customers respect us for our consistency, much like fans celebrate Manchester United for its resilience. Our goals may be different - but our spirit is the same. Unbeatable.

In 4 short years, ZONG has worked steadily to ensure coverage and connectivity to all corners of Pakistan coupled with a diverse set of entertaining and informative Value Added Services. Our state of the art system brings customers the best possible mobile internet bundles that are not offered anywhere else in the country.

ZONG is supported by ground-breaking communications, trend setting customer services and an unmatched product offering that has redefined the rules of the game!

Visit us at www.zong.com.pk

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Bakcell Official Telecommunications and Broadcast Partner of Manchester United for Azerbaijan

Bakcell, the first mobile operator and the leading mobile internet provider of Azerbaijan offers a variety of products for modern mobile communications customers. Bakcell provides class leading 3G mobile internet experience in the country under the Sür@ brand name.
As one of the largest national non-oil investors Bakcell today continues making large investments in the economy of Azerbaijan through its investments in state-of-the-art telecommunication technology and its people who service our customers.
Bakcell’s network covers more than 99% of the population and 92% of the land area of the country (excluding occupied territories). Bakcell is a leader in innovation and it focuses on bringing the best of the mobile internet to Azerbaijanis through new partnerships and its Sür@ services. With 257 retail outlets and 7 customer service centers operating 24/7 Bakcell provides the best customer experience to its customers.
For more information about Bakcell products and services, please visit www.bakcell.com.

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GLOBUL Official Telecommunications partner of Manchester United in Bulgaria

GLOBUL is the trademark under which Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile EAD offers mobile telecommunications services in Bulgaria. The company is 100% owned by COSMOTE (member of OTE Group), the operator with the strongest presence in Southeast Europe. As of the end of September, 2011, GLOBUL has about 4.2 million subscribers, while its services are available to 99.98% of Bulgaria’s population, covering over 99.25% of the country’s territory. GLOBUL UMTS network covers 92.10% of the population. GLOBUL along with GERMANOS employ more than 2,200 people in the country. COSMOTE Group at the end of September 2011 has approximately 20.4 million customers in SE Europe.
GLOBUL has a long-established commitment to football and after years of supporting Bulgarian football clubs and national team, now we are happy to expand our activities and join forces with one the most successful clubs in the world, Manchester United. We believe that this agreement will allow GLOBUL to give the United fans in Bulgaria unique opportunity to have the latest and the best from their favourite club everywhere and at any time.
www.globul.bg

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MAMEE Official Noodles Partner Of Manchester United for Asia, Oceania and Middle East

Mamee Noodles is one of Malaysia’s leading brands of instant noodles. For over 40 years, they have provided convenient, tasty and nutritious noodles for Malaysians and people from all around the world. Consumers are hooked on its firm, springy noodles and rich Asian flavours. Now, it brings a new flavour of excitement to its noodles through its Official Manchester United Partnership for Asia, Oceania and Middle East countries.
Add more excitement to a match by watching it with Mamee’s popular instant noodles that come in six different varieties: Mamee Sllrrrp, Premium, Classic, Rice Vermicelli, Mie Goreng (stir-fried noodles) and Express Cup. These yummy noodles are also trans fatty acid and cholesterol free.
Fans of both Manchester United and Mamee Noodles can look forward to some major fun in the coming months. In the meantime, slurp up and cheer!

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gloops Official Social Gaming Partner of Manchester United in Japan

gloops, Inc. was established in 2005 as six person advertising agency in Tokyo. By 2007, the company expanded its reach by launching “nendo,” a cutting-edge Japanese Social Networking Service (SNS). Further realising the value and unlimited potential of communication through entertainment, gloops in 2009 began publishing social games for mobile devices. Since then, the company hasn’t looked back and has grown to approximately 600 employees with offices in Tokyo, San Francisco, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Our boundaries are limitless. Having quickly established itself as a leader in Japan’s fiercely-competitive social games market, gloops is strongly focused on developing ground-breaking experiences that will amaze, surprise, delight and unite players around the world. Everyone at gloops is passionate about discovering new ways we can use interactive entertainment and mobile devices to bring people closer together.

We will continue to innovate. As a leading social entertainment provider, gloops is constantly challenging the boundaries of mobile entertainment. Our focus has been and will always be “innovating fun.”

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Kagome Official Partner of Manchester United for Japan

Kagome is a Pioneer and Leader in Japan’s Tomato Business
Steeped in history, Kagome has been growing, cultivating and processing tomatoes for more than 110 years. Not only did it pioneer tomato processing in Japan, today it is the country’s undisputed industry leader in this sector.
Since Kagome’s founder, Ichitaro Kanie grew his first tomatoes back in 1899, the Japanese company has expanded to become the country’s leading tomato juice manufacturers. Not long after he grew that first crop, Kanie expanded the scale of tomato cultivation and began to develop its operations, eventually establishing Kagome, a successful tomato processing business handling sauces, ketchups and juices.
“True to nature, the flavour of Kagome” - this is its promise to its customers. Providing products that maximize the benefits of nature’s gifts, Kagome is working consistently to contribute to the wellbeing and longevity of people around the world.
Today, more than a century after seeing its first tomato bud, Kagome offers a range of products that incorporate not only tomatoes but a wide variety of other ingredients, including vegetables, fruits and lactic acid bacteria. Many of these products are top brands in Japan with pride of place in the hearts of consumers.
Kagome’s products include:

-Tomato Ketchup
-Tomato Juice
-Vegetable Mixed Juice
-Fruit & Vegetable Mixed Juice
Kagome encourages and promotes a healthy lifestyle, through exercise and vegetable intake, and feels its partnership with Manchester United will allow Kagome to promote the virtue of its products to a wider audience and help Kagome and the club to connect with the 4million-plus followers it has in Japan.
Kagome is looking forward to working with the Manchester United and its fans.

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TrueVisions Official MUTV Broadcaster for Thailand

TrueVisions
TrueVisions Group is a subsidiary of True Corporation Public Company Limited, Thailand's largest cable television provider digitally broadcasting via a fibre optic network and satellite dishes. The company is committed to offering top programmes from across the globe through its 153 programme channels. Programmes packed with knowledge, updated news, sports and entertainment, covering all the needs of all family members directly to your home. It also provides impressive after sales services through Six packages – Platinum HD, Gold HD, Super Family, Super Knowledge, Super Sports and True Knowledge package. The services include Convergence package, True Life Free view, only subscribe to monthly TrueMove mobile phone 299 baht or prepaid of 300 baht monthly watch free 71 channels. Truevisions is the first provider in Thailand to provide the most HD Channels, a total of 23 channels. “Truevisions anywhere” the application is the best mobile pay TV in Thailand, offering the freedom of viewing TrueVisions programs on the go, anywhere anytime. For more information, visit www.truevisionstv.com.

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TrueMove H Official Mobile Partner of Manchester United for Thailand

TrueMove H
TrueMove H is the mobile business arm of True Corporation Plc, Thailand’s only fully-integrated communications group and leader in convergence. As the industry’s pioneering mobile service provider TrueMove H offers wireless broadband services utilizing 3G HSPA+ technology on both 850 MHz and 2100 MHz on the largest 3G+ network in the country that spans across all 77 provinces. TrueMove H is also Thailand’s first and only mobile service provider to launch commercial 4G LTE services on 2100 MHz. In addition, TrueMove H’s WiFi service offers connections at over 100,000 hotspots locally and abroad. Leveraging its relationships with True Corporation and the CP Group, TrueMove H offers unique integrated products and services to fulfill the lifestyles of all consumers. For more information, visit www.truemove-h.com.

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PREMIER LEAGUE / LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Manchester United have won a record 20 English league titles - two more than closest rivals Liverpool, who were last crowned champions way back in 1990.
The Reds' total comprises 13 Premier League titles (since 1992) and seven First Division Championships (pre-1992).
The club's first League Championship was secured in 1908, six years after the name of Newton Heath - league entrants in 1892 - was changed to Manchester United. A second title followed in 1911 but it wasn’t until after the Second World War, when United really became a force in English football under the leadership of Sir Matt Busby.
The Reds finished league runners-up in 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1951 before winning a third League Championship in 1952. The next few years were to see the birth of the famed Busby Babes. More Championships followed in 1956 and 1957 before the tragic events of the Munich air crash, which claimed the lives of 21 people, including eight United players. Busby rebuilt his team successfully in the 1960s, winning the title again in 1965 and 1967.
United had to endure a long wait of 26 years for the next title (finishing runners-up on four occasions in the meantime). Sir Alex Ferguson was the man who masterminded the triumph in the inaugural Premier League season, in 1993. The Reds have since dominated the top flight with titles in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013 .
United's title triumph of 2008/09 was achieved despite a slow start to the campaign and the rigours of fighting for seven trophies (the Club World Cup, Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carling Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield). The Reds eventually clicked into gear, finishing the league season in style with 18 wins from the final 21 games. Only a point was required against Arsenal on the penultimate weekend, and a goalless draw at Old Trafford secured United's 11th title since the Premier League began and the club's 18th League Championship overall.
After Chelsea won the Double under Carlo Ancelotti, the Reds wrestled the title back to Old Trafford with a success based on the foundation of an incredible home record. After the West Londoners were beaten in front of a jubilant home crowd in a virtual title decider, a point at Blackburn sealed the 12th league success of Sir Alex's remarkable reign with Wayne Rooney's penalty ensuring United could not be caught at the top.
That championship set a new record for the English top flight of 19 titles, but United were made to wait for the 20th after missing out in the following season by the most agonising of margins - local rivals Manchester City snatching the prize in the dying seconds of their final league match.
Stung by this, the Reds vowed to bounce back and did so in style, actually winning the 2012/13 title race with four games to spare by romping ahead of City. Summer 2012 signing Robin van Persie underlined the impact he'd made in his debut season by scoring a hat-trick in the decisive 3-0 win over Aston Villa on 22 April 2013.

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FA Cup

Following 2004's victory over Millwall, United has a record eleven FA Cups to its name and has appeared in the final on seventeen occasions. United are also the only club to appear in an FA Cup final in every decade since the war.
The club first competed in the FA Cup in 1890 as Newton Heath, but were beaten 6-1 by the then League Champions Preston North End. In fact the club had to wait until 1902, when it changed its name to Manchester United, to progress beyond the Third round.
The club’s first win in the competition came in 1909 against Bristol City (1-0). The Reds had to wait until 1948 to reach another final when they beat Blackpool 4-2 at Wembley stadium. The club appeared in consecutive finals in 1957 and 1958.
United next won the FA Cup in 1963 when a Denis Law goal helped see off Leicester City 3-1. The late 1970’s saw the club reach three finals in four years, losing to Southampton in 1976, beating Liverpool in 1977 and losing an epic final to Arsenal in 1979. After being 2-0 down, they came back to score two goals in the final five minutes only to see Arsenal snatch the Cup with almost the last kick of the game.
Two more successes followed, against Brighton in 1983 and against Everton in 1985, when United defender Kevin Moran became the first player to be sent off in a Cup final. During the Nineties the club reached no less than five finals, winning four of them. In 1990 United beat Crystal Palace 1-0 after a replay, in 1994 and 1996 the club completed the ‘Double’ after wins against Chelsea and Liverpool respectively and in 1999 United completed the second part of a historic ‘Treble’ with a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
United reached the final again in 2004. After beating arch-rivals Arsenal 1-0 in the semi-final at Villa Park, they had the more straightforward task of seeing off First Division side Millwall at the Millennium Stadium. Goals by Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy (2) won the match 3-0 for United.
The Reds were back at the Millennium Stadium just 12 months later, in May 2005, seeking their 12th FA Cup win. This time, their arch-rivals Arsenal were waiting to meet them - and to exact their revenge, it seems, for the semi-final results of 1999 and 2004. United dominated the match and created the best chances but ultimately failed to kill-off the more defensively minded Gunners. Consequently the FA Cup Final was decided by a penalty shoot-out for the first time in its history, regrettably in Arsenal's favour.
The FA Cup final returned to Wembley in 2007, with freshly-crowned Premiership champions United and previous incumbents Chelsea locking horns in what seemed set to be a fitting curtain raiser for the revamped stadium. In truth, the final was a massive anti-climax as United's fatigue at the end of a long season, allied to an ultra-conservative approach from Jose Mourinho's side made for a stifling affair, which was eventually settled late in extra-time by a strike from Didier Drogba.

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FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP

Football League Cup Football League Cup
The Carling Cup or Football League Cup (also previously known as the Worthington Cup, Milk Cup, Coca-Cola Cup and Rumbelows Cup) was first played in 1961. Manchester United have won it four times; the Reds overcame Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the 1992 final, beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 in 2006, vanquished Tottenham on penalties in 2009 and came from behind to defeat Aston Villa 2-1 in 2010.

United would probably rather forget the team's first match in the Football League Cup. On 2 November 1960 the Reds lost 2-1 in the Second round to Third Division Bradford City. The club had to wait until 1983 for a first appearance in a final when the opponents that day were Liverpool. A young Norman Whiteside, only seventeen years of age at the time, gave United the lead but Liverpool came back to win in extra time.
Undoubtedly the club’s golden period in the competition came in the early nineties when United reached three finals in four years. On the way to the 1991 final - which the Reds lost to Ron Atkinson’s Sheffield Wednesday - Sir Alex Ferguson's young side demolished the then League Champions Arsenal 6-2 at Highbury. In 1992, United reached Wembley again and won the competition for the first time, beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 thanks to a goal from Brian McClair.
The Reds' next final appearance, in 1994, ended in defeat (1-3) to Ron Atkinson's Aston Villa. Victory would have ultimately given the club the domestic ‘Treble’ as the side would go on to win the League and FA Cup later that year.
A mix of young and senior players was sufficient to see United past Barnet, West Brom and Birmingham in the early rounds of the triumphant 2005/06 campaign. Sir Alex Ferguson then beefed up his side with more first-team regulars for the two-legged semi-final against Blackburn and then the final against Wigan in Cardiff. Goals from Wayne Rooney (2), Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo ensured United did not finish a difficult season empty-handed.
Three years later, plenty of the players who had their first taste of silverware against the Latics were now much-decorated, but there were still a number of youngsters involved as the Reds swept to Wembley at the expense of Middlesbrough, QPR, Blackburn and Derby. Tottenham awaited in the final and, after a tense 120 minutes failed to produce a telling goal, a penalty shootout was required to give United the trophy. Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Anderson all scored, while only Vedran Corluka could find a route past Reds keeper Ben Foster, handing United a 4-1 shootout win.
In 2009/10, United became the first club since Nottingham Forest 20 years earlier to retain the cup. The Reds started the campaign with a home win over Wolves (1-0) and then beat Barnsley away (2-0) and Tottenham (2-0) at Old Trafford to tee up an all-Manchester semi-final against local rivals City. The Blues won the first leg at Eastlands 2-1 but an electric atmosphere for the return match helped the Reds to win 3-1 on the night and go through 4-3 on aggregate. Aston Villa took the lead in the Wembley final after just five minutes, when James Milner converted a penalty conceded by Nemanja Vidic. But an equaliser from Michael Owen and a second-half header from Wayne Rooney ensured the silverware would stay in United's trophy room for another 12 months.

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FA CHARITY / COMMUNITY SHIELD

From its humble beginnings in 1908, when it was known as the Sheriff of London Shield, to its place today as the annual curtain raiser to the English football season, the FA Community Shield (until recent years known as the FA Charity Shield) has long been an important part of the football calendar.
The Shield was initially introduced as a professionals v amateurs charity match with the first game being played in 1908. The reigning Football League Champions, Manchester United, took on Queens Park Rangers, the then-Southern League Champions. This format, with the occasional representative side taking part, was to form the basis of the competition for many years.
The competition's profile was raised immeasurably in 1974 when the then-FA Secretary Ted Croker proposed the Shield be played at Wembley. It was to prove a great success with the 1974 encounter attracting 67,000 fans when Liverpool beat Leeds United 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Nowadays whenever a Charity Shield match is drawn the tie is decided by a penalty shoot-out, although for a short spell during the 1980s and 1990s the trophy was shared.
United appeared in no fewer than seven Shield matches in the 1990s - winning four, drawing one and losing one. In 2001 United appeared in their sixth Shield in a row and eighth in nine years. United also competed in the highest scoring Shield match ever when they defeated Swindon Town 8-4 in 1911.
The Reds suffered Community Shield defeats at the start of the 1998/99, 1999/2000 and 2000/01 seasons, but went on to win the league title at the end of each term.
After going down 2-1 to Liverpool in 2001 Shield, Tim Howard was the hero in the 2003 victory over Arsenal, acrobatically saving spot-kicks from Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Robert Pires to give United a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win after the game had ended 1-1. Arsenal gained revenge a year later, sealing a 3-1 victory over Sir Alex's men.
United claimed two successive shoot-out victories in the 2007 and 2008 spectacles against Chelsea and Portsmouth respectively.
Having lost out to Chelsea in the 2009 clash, the Reds ensured a positive start to the 2010/11 campaign with a 3-1 victory over the Blues. Goals from Antonio Valencia, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez - making his full debut as a half-time substitute - and Dimitar Berbatov secured a record 18th triumph.
Against Manchester City the following year, Nani's injury-time goal capped a dramatic 3-2 comeback win for United, who had been 2-0 down at half-time. And Robin van Persie's double secured a 20th triumph (and the first under David Moyes) in 2013 as Wigan Athletic were defeated 2-0 at Wembley.

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EUROPEAN CUP / UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League
The Champions League is the ultimate club prize in European football. United have won the trophy three times, in 1968, 1999 and 2008. Real Madrid have the record number of wins, with nine European Cups to their name.

United first played in the European Cup in 1957. The decision did not go down well with the Football League due to the fear that it would affect the quality of domestic competitions. This was quickly quashed as the competition helped raise standards in the English game.
United’s first match in the competition was a 10-0 win against Belgian Champions Anderlecht. The Reds reached the semi-finals in both 1956-57 and 1957-58 seasons, but the club’s involvement in the 1957-58 competition, however, will be forever linked to the Munich air disaster. United’s draw in Belgrade and subsequent semi-final defeat against AC Milan were overshadowed by the tragic death of eight United players.
From tragedy came hope as Sir Matt Busby built a new team. Another semi-final in 1965-66 was followed by the club’s first European Cup success in 1967-68 when Goals from Bobby Charlton (two), George Best and Brian Kidd at Wembley gave England its first European Cup winning side against Benfica.
The club had to wait a long 26 years to compete in the competition again, now expanded and renamed the Champions League. United have played in the Champions League every year since 1994 and reached the semi-finals in 1997 before winning the Cup for a second time in 1999.
The final in Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium looked all but lost as United trailed 1-0 going into the three minutes of added time at the end of the match. Goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left Bayern devastated and United's 50,000-strong throng of supporters in ecstacy. Sir Alex Ferguson had finally emulated the achievement of his predecessor Sir Matt Busby.
European glory proved elusive for United in the following seasons. Their defence of the trophy in 1999/00 was ended by a 3-2 home defeat by eventual winners Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, while two semi-final appearances (2001/02 against Bayer Leverkusen and 2006/07 against AC Milan) ultimately ended in elimination despite United holding the lead in both ties.
In May 2008, in Moscow, the Reds sealed their third European Cup triumph - 50 years after the Munich air disaster and 40 years since the Reds' first win in '68 - with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea. Ryan Giggs, making his 759th appearance in a red shirt, thus breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time record, scored what turned out to be United's winning penalty. Edwin van der Sar confirmed United as Kings of Europe with his subsequent penalty save from Nicolas Anelka and sealed a historic double for the Reds.

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FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

FIFA Club World Cup FIFA Club World Cup

United became the first British club to win the FIFA Club World Cup when the Reds beat LDU Quito in Yokohama, Japan on 21 December 2008. Wayne Rooney scored the only goal.
The 1-0 win over LDU Quito in the final was the second of two matches United played in the tournament - Sir Alex Ferguson's men also won a semi-final a few days earlier against Gamba Osaka, beating the Japanese side 5-3 with goals from Rooney (2), Nemanja Vidic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Darren Fletcher.

In all, the following seven teams took part in the 2008 Club World Cup - representing either the host nation or one of world football's six confederations:

Gamba Osaka (Japan, host nation); Waitakere United (New Zealand, OFC), Adelaide United (Australia, AFC), Pachuca (Mexico, CONCACAF), LDU Quito (Ecuador, CONMEBOL), Al Ahly (Egypt, CAF), Manchester United (England, UEFA).

December 2008 in Japan was United's second participation in the tournament. The Reds previously entered in 1999/2000, when the competition was inaugurated under the title of FIFA Club World Championship.

The inaugural tournament took place in January 2000 and featured eight teams - representatives from the six football confederations, plus the 1998 winners of the Inter-Continental Cup (inspiration for FIFA's competition) and the champions of the host nation, Brazil:
Manchester United (England, UEFA), Rayos del Necaxa (Mexico, CONCACAF), Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia, AFC), South Melbourne (Australia, OFC), Vasco da Gama (Brazil, CONMEBOL), Raja Casablanca (Morocco, CAF), Real Madrid (Inter-Continental Cup winners 1998), Corinthians (Brazil, host nation).
The format was two groups of four, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals. United failed to reach the semis, after drawing with Necaxa 1-1, losing to Vasco da Gama 3-1 and beating South Melbourne 2-0, all in the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The inaugural winners of the FIFA Club World Championship were Corinthians, who beat their great Brazilian rivals Vasco da Gama 4-3 on penalties in the final.
United's record: entrants 2000, winners 2008.

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UEFA SUPER CUP

UEFA Super Cup UEFA Super Cup
The European Super Cup was the brainchild of reporter Anton Witkamp. After a period of supreme Dutch dominance (either Ajax or Feyenoord had won the European Cup final for the last four years), Witkamp had the idea of pitting the winner of the 1972 European Cup against the winner of the same year's Cup Winners' Cup.
The first Super Cup was played between Ajax and Rangers in January 1973 but was not endorsed by UEFA because the Scottish team were serving a one-year European ban at the time. It was an enormously popular concept with fans – more than 100,000 turned out across two legs – and Ajax ran out eventual winners, 6-3 on aggregate.
UEFA could see Witkamp was onto a winner and adopted the competition in an official capacity the following season, where Ajax again triumphed. This time, the Dutch champions thrashed AC Milan 6-1. The Italian team have since fared much better and have won the trophy a record four times.
Manchester United's first taste of the competition came in 1991 when, after the Reds' victory over Barcelona in the Cup Winners' Cup, they faced European champions Red Star Belgrade. Due to Yugoslavia's unstable political climate, it was decided the 1991 Super Sup would be settled over one leg. A Brian McClair strike was enough to hand United a 1-0 win and hand Sir Alex his third trophy.
United's only other appearance in the Super Cup was earned after the Reds' last-gasp Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich in 1999. They met Lazio – by this stage all finals were held over one leg and in Monaco's Stade Loud II stadium – but went down thanks to a 35th-minute goal from Marcelo Salas.

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EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS' CUP

European Cup Winners' Cup European Cup Winners' Cup
Sir Alex Ferguson guided United to success in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990/91 – thirty years after the competition was inaugurated by UEFA. It was the Reds’ first triumph in the Cup but Sir Alex’s second, having previously won it with Aberdeen in 1983, courtesy of a shock 2-1 win over Real Madrid.
United made their debut in the competition in 1963/64, having fulfilled the entry criteria in 1963 – winning their senior domestic cup, aka the FA Cup. Sir Matt Busby’s team made light work of Willem II, beating the Dutch side 7-2 on aggregate, and toppled Tottenham 4-3 over two legs in an all-English affair before suffering a 6-4 aggregate defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
The Reds had to wait until 1977 for their next FA Cup victory and subsequent crack at the Cup Winners’ Cup. Dave Sexton’s side beat St Etienne 2-0 at Plymouth Argyle’s ground – UEFA had ordered United to play their ‘home’ leg at least 200 kilometres from Manchester, following crowd trouble at the 1-1 draw in France.
After Plymouth, the Reds travelled to Portugal where they suffered another heavy away defeat, 0-4 to FC Porto. A valiant effort to turn things round at Old Trafford ended in vain – United won 5-2 on the night but lost 6-5 on aggregate.
Ron Atkinson won two FA Cups as United manager but was given only one chance to win the Cup Winners’ Cup – all English clubs were banned from European competitions in 1985, in the wake of the Heysel Stadium disaster.
In 1983/84, Big Ron led the Reds through a rollercoaster campaign: an away goals victory over Dukla Prague, a more straightforward 4-1 aggregate win against Spartak Varna and then an epic quarter-final against Barcelona. Diego Maradona and all came to Manchester leading 2-0 from the first leg but Bryan Robson (2) and Frank Stapleton sent them packing on an unforgettable evening at OT. The semi-final was a bridge too far, however – missing the injured Robson, the Reds were held 1-1 at home before losing 2-1 in Turin against Juventus.
Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge when United played their first European match after the ban was lifted, in 1990. The Reds beat Pecsi Munkas 2-0 in Manchester and 1-0 in Hungary, to set-up an all-British tie against Welsh Cup winners Wrexham. Again the Reds kept two clean sheets, beating the Robins 3-0 at home and 2-0 away. United conceded their first goal of the competition against Montpellier, but still won 3-1 on aggregate before beating Legia Warsaw 4-2 over both legs of the semi-finals
Hughes was the hero in the 1991 final in Rotterdam, scoring two goals in the 68th and 75th minutes against his former club Barcelona. Ronald Koeman clawed one back for Barca but to no avail as United won the Cup Winners’ Cup at their fourth attempt. It was also their final attempt – the subsequent FA Cup triumphs, in 1994, 1996 and 1999, were topped by league titles and therefore the club qualified for and entered the Champions League instead - before UEFA abolished the competition in 1999.

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History of Manchester United

2010-

Despite a solid start to the campaign, United’s 2009/10 contained a sting in the tail as Chelsea’s late surge for the line curtailed the Reds’ chances of winning a fourth successive title by a single point in a race which ran until the final day of the season.

There was some solace to be found in the retention of the Carling Cup, achieved at Aston Villa’s expense and secured by a late winner from Wayne Rooney, whose individual excellence was rewarded with both the PFA Player’s Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Player of the Year awards.

Despite that single piece of silverware, the 2009/10 campaign was most notable for the heightened stakes of the Manchester derby, with mind-boggling investment inflating the ambition of Manchester City and putting them in the frame for honours. United’s local authority was exerted, however, with home and away Premier League wins and a Carling Cup semi-final triumph, with each victory dramatically procured in injury-time.

Both Manchester clubs were intent on bringing the Premier League trophy back to the North-West as the 2010/11 season began, and United’s squad was bolstered by the low-key captures of promising youngsters Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling.

Though largely unknown, the duo quickly gelled with the squad and, despite a season of largely poor away form, United reclaimed the title for a record 19th domestic rule. While Rooney had powered the 2009/10 campaign with his prolific form in front of goal, 2010/11 was notably more of a squad success.

From the goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar – in his last season at the club – through to the ageless influence of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, up to a revitalised Rooney, who put a poor spell of form and dramatic transfer U-turn well behind him, all hands were at the pump as Chelsea were dethroned.

A remarkable home record was the cornerstone of the success but, in Europe, it was miserly away form that helped propel the Reds into another Champions League final against Barcelona, this time at Wembley. For the second time in three years, Lionel Messi and co were ultimately too strong for United on the night, but it was that record 19th league title that made it another season to remember at Old Trafford.

The bid to quickly usher number 20 into the record books looked strong in the early stages of 2011/12. Sir Alex Ferguson strengthened his squad with the signings of David De Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young, while homegrown talents Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck made the step up to senior regularity.

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History of Manchester United

2000-2009

United started the new decade, century and millennium in typical pioneering fashion. They entered a brand new competition – the FIFA Club World Championship in Brazil – but at the expense of their participation in the FA Cup, of which they were the holders.

The January jaunt to South America didn't result in any silverware but it gave the Reds valuable relaxation time in the sun. Rejuvenated by this, they raced ahead of their rivals in the title race when they returned to England. They achieved their sixth Premiership title early, in April, and still without a convincing replacement for Peter Schmeichel.

Several goalkeepers including Mark Bosnich tried and failed to establish themselves during the 1999/2000 season. So it was hardly surprising when World Cup and European Championship winner Fabien Barthez joined United in July 2000.

The eccentric but brilliant French goalkeeper helped United to win their third successive title in 2000/01, a feat that had previously been achieved by only a handful of clubs in England. Liverpool had been the last team to do it, in 1982, 1983 and 1984, but this was under the supervision of two different managers - Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan.

Sir Alex Ferguson had been at the helm for all three of United's back-to-back titles, and was the first manager in English football to achieve the hat-trick. On the back of this latest trophy, he announced his impending retirement, only to backtrack and decide to stay.

Ferguson's major signing in the summer of 2002 was Rio Ferdinand, one of England's best performers at the World Cup Finals in Japan and Korea. The £30m acquisition from Leeds added the steel that had arguably been missing from United's defence since the departure of Jaap Stam to Lazio.

Ferdinand helped the Reds to recapture their Premiership title in May 2003 but the calendar year ended on a low note for the defender - he was punished by the FA for failing to attend a mandatory drugs test at Carrington and was suspended for eight months.

In the period without Rio, the Reds lost their title - to Arsenal again - but won the FA Cup for a record eleventh time, beating Millwall 3-0 in the 2004 final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. A year later United were back in Wales to face Arsenal for the trophy. Chelsea had taken the Premiership and Carling Cup, and it was the Gunners who triumphed on penalties despite a dominant display from United - for whom Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were outstanding. The following season brought maiden silverware for the pair as the Reds beat Wigan Athletic in the Carling Cup final.

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History of Manchester United

1990-1999

The dawn of the 1990's saw Alex Ferguson collecting his first silverware as Manchester United manager, and Liverpool winning their last League Championship with an ageing team. The tide was turning…

Fergie's first FA Cup, achieved after a replay against Crystal Palace, seemed at the time to be a stand-alone success, one that possibly saved his job after another poor season in the League. But nine years later, it seemed that Lee Martin's winning goal against Palace lit the fuse for an explosion of unprecedented success.

First and foremost, winning the FA Cup in 1990 allowed United to make their return to European competition after an absence of five years. Far from being rusty, they went all the way to the final of the European Cup Winners Cup in Rotterdam where their opponents were Barcelona, the former club of United striker Mark Hughes. Two goals by Hughes sealed the match 2-1 in Fergie's favour in May 1991, 23 years after the club's previous triumph in Europe.

The other long wait, for that elusive League Championship, very nearly ended in April 1992. The Reds had already won Fergie's third trophy in March, the League Cup, and were in a two-horse race with Leeds. Liverpool were out of the running, but they still had a say in the destiny of the title, beating United 2-0 at Anfield to ruin their challenge.

The 1991/92 title would be remembered in Manchester as the title that United lost, rather than the one that Leeds actually won. Leeds, after all, were not the greatest of football powers in the 1990's and their star quality was further reduced when they allowed one of their best players to join Manchester United in December 1992.

In selling Eric Cantona to Old Trafford, the Yorkshire club practically handed over the keys to the League Championship. The Frenchman brought that little extra bit of magic that had been missing from United's previous campaigns and was an instant hit with the Mancunian faithful, scoring nine goals to help the Reds win their first title in 26 years.

In the following season 1993/94, the team virtually picked itself en route to an historic League and FA Cup Double, with Cantona sporting the number seven shirt that had been Bryan Robson’s property for so long. The number one, meanwhile, was undoubtedly Peter Schmeichel, arguably the best goalkeeper ever seen at Old Trafford.

Cantona’s eight-month absence from January 1995, following his clash with a fan at Crystal Palace, proved to be United’s undoing as they tried to defend their Double. They lost the title by one point to Blackburn Rovers and then lost the FA Cup final by one goal to Everton. The former champions were hampered at Wembley by an injury to Steve Bruce, the brave captain who was a defensive rock in the early 1990’s.

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History of Manchester United

1980-1989

United made a poor start to the 1980's. Following an early FA Cup exit to Spurs and a First Division hammering at Ipswich, however, Dave Sexton and his team recovered to win eight of their last ten league games, and finish just two points behind Liverpool in the title race.

United produced another blistering finish at the end of the following season, 1980/81, when they won their last seven league games in a row. This time, however, they could only finish eighth in the table – a position which the club's board could not tolerate. Sexton was sacked on 30 April 1981, after four seasons in the hotseat.

Sexton’s replacement Ron Atkinson brought in Mick Brown as assistant manager and Eric Harrison as youth coach. But it was his on-the-field acquisitions that really excited the fans. He broke the British transfer record to recruit Bryan Robson from his old club West Bromwich Albion for £1.5m and he spent around a third of that again to add another ex-Albion man, Remi Moses, to the United squad.

In midfield the new arrivals wonderfully complemented the finesse of Ray Wilkins, the ball-playing England star. But still there was something missing. United needed a forward who could match the strike rate of Ian Rush at Liverpool, who again won the Championship in 1982, 1983 and 1984. Atkinson’s men were never far behind, finishing third or fourth in every season of his reign. But they were never that close either.

The domestic cups offered United their best chances of silverware, and in 1983, they reached Wembley in both competitions. Liverpool beat them 2-1 after extra-time to win the Milk (League) Cup, while little-fancied Brighton and Hove Albion were beaten in two attempts in the FA Cup final. A shock 2-2 draw was followed up by a thumping 4-0 win for United through goals from Robson (2), Arnold Muhren and Norman Whiteside.

Whiteside’s habit of rising to the big occasion was never more gratefully received than in 1985, when he curled in the only goal of the FA Cup Final to beat Everton 1-0. United had earlier been reduced to ten men by the dismissal of Kevin Moran, who formed a great defensive partnership in the 1980’s with Paul McGrath.

It was Atkinson’s second FA Cup success in three seasons, but eighteen months later he was sacked for his inability to break Merseyside’s monopoly of the League Championship. Not even ten straight wins at the start of 1985/86 could lead him to the Holy Grail.

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!

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History of Manchester United

1970-1979

With memories of the European Cup triumph beginning to fade, Manchester United's attentions turned to their managerial vacancy. Sir Matt Busby had led the club to the promised land but had now retired, leaving the board with a problem.

Their first solution was to appoint from within, by promoting one of Busby's coaches and former players Wilf McGuinness to the senior position. A combination of ageing players and the lack of overall control in team affairs meant that McGuinness struggled with Sir Matt looking over his shoulder. Putting players like Denis Law and Shay Brennan on the transfer list didn't help matters, neither did George Best's off-field antics.

Wilf wasn't allowed to struggle for too long. On Boxing Day 1970 he was relieved of his duties and Sir Matt was put back in temporary charge. Frank O'Farrell was the next man to take charge in June 1971 but, despite a promising start, United's 5-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on 16 December 1972 was the Irishman's last match in charge.

Although O'Farrell's reign was short, he still left his mark by signing Martin Buchan for a record fee of £125,000. The former Aberdeen captain was to become a key player for O'Farrell's successor, Tommy Docherty, who was appointed at Christmas in 1972.

The Doc's first challenge was to keep the team up while gradually replacing the legends of the 1960's. Sir Bobby Charlton had announced he would retire at the end of the 1972/73 season, George Best was veering off the rails once again and Denis Law had passed his peak. Law, in fact, was given a free transfer in July 1973, a move which later came back to haunt Docherty. The striker joined Manchester City and scored at Old Trafford in April 1974, on a day when United's relegation to the Second Division was confirmed.

To Docherty's credit, the Reds bounced back very quickly. They won the Second Division Championship in 1974/75, with top scorer Stuart 'Pancho' Pearson scoring 17 league goals. Lou Macari scored the goal that clinched promotion, at Southampton on 5 April 1975.

United then reached successive FA Cup finals, losing to Southampton in 1976, but beating Liverpool 2-1 a year later. The Doc's men rose perfectly to the challenge 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. Just 44 days later, he was sacked when it emerged he had set up home with his lover Mary, the wife of the club physiotherapist Laurie Brown.

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History of Manchester United

1960-1969

After building one of the greatest teams seen in England, Matt Busby had to start all over again at the start of the 1960's. The Munich air disaster had robbed him, and football, of some of the era's greatest players. But once the great manager had recovered from his own injuries, he set about building another side to take the world by storm.

Dennis Viollet was one of the leading names within this team. In 1959/60, the Munich survivor broke Jack Rowley's club record by scoring 32 goals in one league season. The team in total scored 102, but they conceded 80 and finished in seventh place.

Viollet wasn't the only Munich survivor to enjoy a great Old Trafford career; others included Bill Foulkes, and Bobby Charlton, who came through the club's youth ranks to break goalscoring records for club and country. Nobby Stiles also rose through the ranks, while Denis Law came via a record £115,000 transfer from Torino.

United's form was erratic at the start of the decade, while new names settled in, but then everything came together with a run to Wembley for the 1962/63 FA Cup Final. Busby's new-look team beat Leicester 3-1, with two goals from David Herd and one by Law.

The next season saw United build on the foundations of FA Cup success to challenge for the title – finishing second, only four points behind the champions Liverpool, to whom they lost both at home and away. The 1962/63 season was also notable for the signing and debut of George Best, the young man from Belfast who would become football's first superstar. His incredible skill, pace and control left opponents in knots, making him a hit with the fans, while his filmstar looks made him a hit with the ladies.

In 1964/65, the famous trio of Best, Law and Charlton took United to new heights. They won the League Championship, pipping Leeds on goal difference, and reached the semi-finals of the European Fairs Cup and the FA Cup. Law plundered goals galore and was named the European Footballer of the Year.

The title-winning team seemed to be the finished article, but they finished a disappinting fourth the following season, and exited both the FA and European Cups in the semi-finals. The season's highlight had been the 5-1 away thrashing of Benfica in the European Cup quarter-finals, when Best had been in blistering form.

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.

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History of Manchester United

1950-1959

The 1950's dawned with the break-up of Matt Busby’s first successful United side - the 1948 FA Cup-winning team. Dressing room dissent led to Johnny Morris departing for Derby and Charlie Mitten exporting his wing wizardry to Colombia. Fans worried by the duo's departure were soon placated.

The great Scot’s plan was to promote the youngsters he’d been recruiting and grooming in the late 1940’s. Jackie Blanchflower and Roger Byrne were the first to emerge and be labelled ‘Babes’ by the newspapers; in their debut season 1951/52, United won the League Championship for the first time since 1911.

In 1955/56 and 1956/57, Byrne lifted the Championship trophy as skipper of a great young side that included several more products of Busby’s youth academy. Eddie Colman, Mark Jones and David Pegg were all first team regulars, having cut their teeth in the FA Youth Cup, which United won five years in a row from its inception in 1953.

Not all the young talent was home-grown, however. The United manager was equally happy to plunge into the transfer market, as shown by the big money signings of proven internationals Tommy Taylor and goalkeeper Harry Gregg.

Another young man who excelled for club and country was Duncan Edwards. So powerful, talented and mature was the Dudley teenager that Matt Busby could not hold him back from United’s first team. In April 1953, he became the First Division’s youngest-ever player at the age of 16 years and 185 days.

One match that epitomised the new Busby Babes era was against Arsenal at Highbury on 1 February 1958. In front of a crowd of 63,578 the Reds beat the Gunners in a nine-goal thriller with goals from Edwards, Taylor (2), Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet.

Sadly, what was perhaps their greatest game on English soil was certainly to be the last for that particular Manchester United team. From Highbury, the Babes headed off into Europe to play the second leg of a tie against Red Star Belgrade. Again they won 5-4, this time on aggregate, but on the way home their celebrations were cut short by tragedy.

After refuelling in Munich on 6 February 1958, the United aeroplane crashed, killing twenty-two people, including seven players – Byrne, Colman, Jones, Pegg, Taylor, Geoff Bent and Liam Whelan. Duncan Edwards died of his injuries fifteen days later in a German hospital. The club, the city of Manchester and the English game entered a long period of mourning. It seemed inconceivable that United could recover from such an appalling loss.

But as Busby defied the medics to recover from his crash wounds, the team bounced back and, patched up by Jimmy Murphy, they reached the FA Cup Final in May 1958. They lost at Wembley to Bolton Wanderers, twelve months after losing the final to Aston Villa.

To continue the theme of finishing a close second, the Reds were also runners-up in the League Championship of 1958/59.

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History of Manchester United

1940-1949

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.

On 11 March 1941 the stadium was bombed during a German air raid. The attack destroyed the main stand, dressing rooms and offices. It was a devastating blow, but within a few years, there would be optimism again around the famous old ground.

It came with a man named Matt Busby, who would prove to be the most important figure in the history of Manchester United. A former Manchester City and Liverpool player, Busby served in the Ninth Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment where his leadership qualities shone through. These qualities did not go unnoticed by United.

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!

Busby didn't waste any time in making his mark, altering the positions of several key players. He also founded the "Famous Five" forwards when he brought together Jimmy Delaney, Stan Pearson, Jack Rowley, Charlie Mitten and Johnny Morris.

Perhaps the most important signing Busby made, however, was on the coaching staff. Matt had met Jimmy Murphy during the war, and identified him as his perfect right-hand man. The pair formed a partnership that would see United become a power in world football.

Busby and Murphy's first step on the road to glory was to build a team that was capable of challenging for domestic honours. They succeeded almost at the first attempt, as United finished second to Liverpool in the first Football League campaign after the war, 1946/47. It was the club's highest placing for 36 years, and there was extra cause for optimism when the Reserves won their (Central) League Championship in the same season.

Busby's mix of young local lads and established players won their first trophy the following year, when they beat the Blackpool side of Stanley Matthews, Stan Mortensen and Harry Johnston in the 1948 FA Cup Final. It was 39 years to the day that United had previously won the Cup, in 1909.

The FA Cup was also the club's first major honour since winning the League Championship in 1911, and recapturing the title would now become the number one target for Matt Busby's men. During the first five seasons of his post-war reign, United finished second on four occasions, and fourth on the other (1949/50).

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History of Manchester United

1930-1939

The decline that had started in the 1920's continued at the outset of the 1930's. United finished 17th in 1929/30, to fill their fans with dread. Their fears were realised in the next season, when United made the worst start in their history by losing their first twelve league matches in a row. The dozen defeats included back-to-back thrashings at Old Trafford, 6-0 by Huddersfield Town and then 7-4 by Newcastle United.

United eventually lost 27 of their 42 league matches in 1930/31, conceding 115 goals. Their relegation led to manager Herbert Bamlett bowing out, and secretary Walter Crickmer taking charge of team affairs. The patience of the supporters was being severely tested, and many of them did not hang around - only 3,507 turned up for the opening match of the following season. As the season went on, the situation deteriorated. By December, there was no money to pay the players wages. Bankruptcy was a real threat.

The club's saviour came in the shape of James Gibson, a manufacturer of army uniforms. He invested £30,000, paid the players and got the club back on track. He appointed a new manager, Scott Duncan, who was given money to spend. However, he did not make the most of it.

A dreadful run under Duncan in 1933/34 took United to the brink of being relegated into the Third Division for the first time in the club’s history. Survival was only secured on the last day of the season, when they won 2-0 with goals from Tom Manley and Jack Cape to send their opponents, Millwall, down instead. In that same week, Manchester City had won the FA Cup, with a man named Matt Busby in their side.

United finished the 1934/35 season in fifth place, and then in 1935/36 claimed their first silverware of the decade. Unbeaten during the last 19 games of the campaign, they secured the Second Division Championship with a 3-2 win over Bury at Gigg Lane, thanks to goals from Manley and George Mutch.

Their end-of-season form in the Second Division suggested United would do well on their return to the First, but by Christmas they had only won four matches, including one on Christmas Day itself! Only ten wins in the whole season meant relegation, with City again providing stark contrast as the League Champions. The relegated United team included Walter Winterbottom, who would later be knighted after managing England for 16 years.

The yo-yoing continued as United were promoted again the next season, 1937/38, as runners-up to Aston Villa. Scott Duncan could only claim some of the credit, as he left the club in November 1937 to become manager of Ipswich Town. Walter Crickmer again stepped into the breach as United's caretaker manager.

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, Carey 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.

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History of Manchester United

History by Decade

1920-1929

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 in the First Division. The new hero of the terraces, Joe Spence, finished the season as the team's top scorer with 14 League goals. He was joint top scorer again in 1920/21, but this time with half the tally as United again under-achieved to finish in 13th place.
Manager John Robson then left the club, to be replaced by John Chapman, who reverted to the dual role of secretary/manager last held by JJ Bentley. Meanwhile, former manager Ernest Mangnall continued to make the local headlines with City, as they moved into a new stadium at Maine Road.
Mangnall also re-signed Meredith for City and despite his advancing years, it was perhaps no coincidence that United were relegated in their first season without him, winning only 8 of their 42 matches in 1921/22. Chapman's team that played in the Second Division until the third attempt, when the on-field leadership of Frank Barson resulted in promotion at the end of 1924/25. United finished second to Leicester City, after losing only eight games.

United's top flight status was cemented with a ninth-place finish in 1925/26. Chapman's team also went on a great run in the FA Cup, but this came to a halt in the semi-finals when Manchester City beat them 3-0 at Bramall Lane. City's luck then ran out, as they lost both the final (to Bolton) and their place in the First Division.
Not that United supporters could afford to laugh at City. Two months into the 1926/27 season, they had troubles of their own when the FA suspended manager John Chapman with immediate effect, the reasons for which never became public. Wing-half Clarence Hilditch took over as player-manager while the club looked for a more permanent replacement, but 'Lal' was reluctant to pick himself, and the team suffered.
Chapman's permanent successor, Herbert Bamlett, arrived later that season. He was already known to United fans as the referee who called off the club's FA Cup quarter-final tie at Burnley in 1909, when their team was trailing 1-0 in the midst of a blizzard. Bamlett, though, was too cold to blow the final whistle, so Charlie Roberts did the job and United went on to win the Cup that season!
Sadly Bamlett had no further impact on United's success as their manager. The team slowly slipped down the First Division, finishing 15th in 1926/27 and 18th in 1927/28, only to recover slightly to 12th in 1928/29. Joe Spence continued to score goals by the bucketload but not even he could stop United's steady decline...

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History of Manchester United

1910-1919

The words Old Trafford entered football folklore for the first time during the 1909/10 season. The land on which the stadium was built was bought by the Manchester Brewery Company (John Henry Davies) and leased to the club. Davies himself paid for the building work, which commenced in 1908 under the supervision of architect Archibald Leitch. By 1910, the club had moved lock, stock and barrel from their old home of Bank Street.

United's first 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. Two days previously, the old wooden stand at Bank Street had been blown down by strong winds - further evidence, perhaps, that United were suited to and needed their new home.

Indeed, United were crowned League Champions for the second time at the end of their first full season at Old Trafford - 1910/1911. They clinched the title at home on the final day of the season, beating Sunderland 5-1 with Harold Halse grabbing two of the goals. Halse also scored six goals as United beat Swindon Town 8-4 to clinch the Charity Shield.

Despite such feats, United could not keep up their winning run and in 1911/12, the defending champions finished disappointingly in thirteenth place. Secretary-manager Ernest Mangnall bore the brunt of the criticism, and resigned to join United's neighbours and rivals Manchester City. The search for Mangnall's successor finished at the door of JJ Bentley, the president of the Football League. Under his guidance the Reds claimed fourth place in the League at the end of the 1912/13 season.

The 1913/14 season was a period of transition, while the following campaign was notable for a change of management - in December 1914, the roles of secretary and team manager were separated for the first time. Bentley became full-time secretary and John Robson was appointed to look after and select the team.

Robson's team was a shadow of the one which had performed so well in the previous decade, as only George Stacey, Billy Meredith, Sandy Turnbull and George Wall remained from the 1909 FA Cup-winning side. Not surprisingly, the club struggled, only escaping relegation by a single point.

Before United could form a plan for recovery, the outbreak of the First World War put football firmly to the back of people's minds. The Football League was suspended, and clubs resorted to playing in regional competitions.

United played in the Lancashire Prinicipal and Subsidiary Tournaments for four seasons, but this was a less than successful diversion, the misery compounded by the fact that two of the club's players were found guilty of match fixing. Enoch West was banned for life as was Sandy Turnbull, who joined the Footballers' Battalion to help Britain's war effort.

Tragically Turnbull was killed during a battle in France in May 1917, to leave United without another of their early century heroes for their return to league football in 1919/20.

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History of Manchester United

1878-1909

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 or other railway companies.

Indeed, when the Football League was formed in 1888, Newton Heath did not consider themselves good enough to become founder members alongside the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End. They waited instead until 1892 to make their entrance.

Financial problems plagued Newton Heath, and by the start of the twentieth century it seemed they were destined for extinction. The club was saved, however, by a local brewery owner, John Henry Davies. Legend has it that he learned of the club's plight when he found a dog belonging to Newton Heath captain Harry Stafford.

Davies decided to invest in Newton Heath, in return for some interest in running it. This led to a change of name and, after several alternatives including Manchester Central and Manchester Celtic were rejected, Manchester United was born in April/May 1902.

The next influential figure to arrive at United was Ernest Mangnall, who was appointed secretary in September 1903 but is widely acknowledged as being the club's first manager. His side, including new signings like goalkeeper Harry Moger and forward Charlie Sagar, finished third in the Second Division in 1903/04 and again in 1904/05.

The following season, 1905/06, was to prove one of the greatest in the early life of Manchester United. The half-back line of Dick Duckworth, Alex Bell and captain Charlie Roberts were instrumental in the side which reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but more importantly finished as runners-up in the Second Division. Twelve years after being relegated, United reclaimed their place in the top flight.

To celebrate, Mangnall signed Billy Meredith from rivals Manchester City. Nicknamed the Welsh Wizard, Meredith had been implicated in a bribery scandal at City, and was due to be auctioned along with 17 other players. Mangnall made his move early, and acquired Meredith's signature before the bidding began.

The winger's arrival proved to be inspirational - Meredith set up countless goals for Sandy Turnbull in 1907/08 when United won the Football League Championship for the first time. As champions, United played in the first-ever Charity Shield in 1908. They duly won the trophy, beating Southern League champions QPR 4-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Sandy's namesake, Jimmy Turnbull.

The third trophy to be added to the club's honours board was the FA Cup, at the end of a tremendous run in 1909. United beat Bristol City 1-0 in the final, thanks to Sandy Turnbull's goal.

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Juan Mata

8. Juan Mata

Birthdate:	28 Apr 1988
Birthplace:	Burgos, Spain
Position:	Attacking midfielder
Appearances	2
Goals Scored	0
Joined United:	25 Jan 2014
United Debut:	28 Jan 2014 v Cardiff City (H)
International:	Spain

 

Juan Mata exudes class, intelligence and panache - and not just with a ball at his feet. When the Spaniard travelled to the Aon Training Complex on 25 January 2014 to complete his transfer from Chelsea, he arrived by helicopter - a Hollywood-style entrance befitting a player on whom Manchester United spent a club-record fee of £37.1million.
Mata is an influential performer in any of the three main attacking positions across the pitch behind the lead striker – on either flank or in the no.10 role. A world-class creator and consistent goal-getter, he netted 12 times in all competitions in his debut season with Chelsea in 2011/12, before scoring

11 in the league alone in the following campaign.
However, Mata's game is about more than just attacking from deep to score goals. The Spain international has a sweet left foot, wonderful poise and balance, possesses great vision for a killer pass or wicked cross and is a danger from set-pieces anywhere on the pitch. His creativity sets him apart; only two players in Premier League history boast superior minutes-per-assist ratios, and since Mata arrived in England only Wayne Rooney and David Silva have set up more goals.

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