Manchester United's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo appears on a banner covering part of the exterior of Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, northwest England on September 10, 2021. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Many regard Manchester United as a highly respected football club, celebrated for its long-standing tradition of success and rich history. They, along with Liverpool, stand as one of England’s most successful football clubs. While Manchester United holds more national titles than Liverpool, their rival has achieved more success in international competitions.
History
Manchester experienced rapid growth during the Industrial Revolution, with a large influx of workers from various regions of the British Isles contributing to its transformation into one of Europe’s largest cities by 1900.
The growth fostered perfect conditions for football clubs to emerge, a sport historically dominated by the working class.
The original establishment of the club that would later become Manchester United FC occurred in 1878, under the name Newton Heath L&YR Football Club, after the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company that employed the team’s players.
After the club joined the Football League in 1892, it experienced changes in ownership and rebranded itself as Manchester United in 1902.
Under the leadership of Ernest Mangnall, the club won the English League title in 1908 and secured their first FA Cup trophy the following year. The team moved to Old Trafford stadium in 1910.
Following the Second World War, the appointment of Matt Busby in 1945 marked a significant period of success for the club, as his emphasis on nurturing young talent led to back-to-back league titles in 1955-56 and 1956-57, with the team earning the nickname “Busby Babes” due to their youthful roster.
The Plane Crash
In 1958, a tragic event occurred in the history of Manchester United. Following a game against Red Star Belgrade in the European Cup, the team was flying back to England when their plane crashed during a refuel in Munich.
Eight players and three staff members lost their lives in the accident, but the coach survived. Despite the tragedy, he went on to build another successful team that achieved many championship victories in the years that followed.
Shifts of Management
Tommy Docherty, who was even more supportive of success, managed the team following this. However, in 1977, Dave Sexton, known for being more careful in his approach, replaced Docherty. Then, in 1981, Ron Atkinson succeeded Sexton.
The Alex Ferguson Era
Alex Ferguson was appointed as manager of the club in 1986. Despite facing initial challenges, the team achieved success by winning the FA Cup in 1990. Over the next two decades, the club won a total of 25 major trophies, including eleven League titles.
In 1994, Manchester United achieved their first Double and in 1998-1999 became the first English club to win a Treble by securing the FA Cup, Premier League, and UEFA Champions League. The team further solidified their success by winning the club world championship by defeating Palmeiras.
United achieved three consecutive league titles from 1999 to 2001, with one particularly notable accomplishment being their 18-point margin in winning the league during the 1999/2000 season.
Glazer Takeover and “Merchandise United”
Between 2003 and 2005, American businessman Malcolm Glazer acquired enough shares to become the new owner of Manchester United, a move that was met with significant disapproval from fans.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Glazer family’s takeover, the team continued to excel and maintain its prestigious reputation, attracting a large international following.
In 2013-2014, Manchester United ranked as the second highest-earning club globally, generating an estimated revenue of approximately €518 million. In 2015, it was also recognized as the third most valuable football club.
Manchester United has been successful in marketing its brand across various industries, earning a reputation for capitalizing on brand-name products, leading to the less flattering nickname “Merchandise United.”
Post-Ferguson: Period of Decline
When Alex Ferguson stepped down from his long-standing position in 2013, Manchester United experienced a noticeable dip in performance. Successors such as David Moyes, Ryan Giggs, and the esteemed Louis van Gaal struggled to emulate Ferguson’s winning strategy.
In the 2016/2017 season, José Mourinho was brought on board with a three-year contract, reflecting Manchester United’s determination to enhance its stature, sustain its competitive edge, and preserve its distinguished history.
Logo
The top section of Manchester United’s shield features a ship, a design element borrowed from the Manchester City Council’s coat of arms, which is also present in Manchester City’s badge. Beneath this ship, a prominent depiction of a devil is visible, an addition first made to the crest in 1970. In 1998, the designers subtly modified the shield by omitting the words “Football Club” from the lower banner, leaving “Manchester United” as the sole inscription.
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