Manchester United
Manchester United Football Club, often known as Man United or simply United, is a professional football team based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. They compete in the Premier League, the highest level of English football. Known as the Red Devils, the club was originally founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, and adopted the name Manchester United in 1902. After initially playing in Clayton, Manchester, they moved to their current stadium, Old Trafford, in 1910.
In domestic competitions, Manchester United holds a record of 20 top-tier league titles, 13 FA Cups, 6 League Cups, and 21 FA Community Shields. Internationally, they have won the European Cup/UEFA Champions League three times, as well as the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup once each. In 1968, led by manager Matt Busby, they became the first English team to win the European Cup, a decade after the tragic Munich air disaster claimed the lives of eight players. Sir Alex Ferguson, the club’s longest-serving and most successful manager, secured 38 trophies, including 13 league titles, 5 FA Cups, and 2 Champions League titles from 1986 to 2013. During the 1998–99 season, Ferguson guided the team to a historic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. In 2016–17, under José Mourinho, they won the UEFA Europa League, becoming one of five clubs to win the three major UEFA club competitions. The club has achieved consecutive Premier League titles three times and consistently finished in the top three for the league’s first 21 years.
Manchester United boasts one of the largest global fan bases and has fierce rivalries with Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Leeds United. Financially, they were the world’s highest-earning football club for 2016–17 with €676.3 million in revenue and the third-most valuable club in 2019, valued at £3.15 billion ($3.81 billion). After being listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1991, the club was privatized in 2005 following a nearly £800 million takeover by American businessman Malcolm Glazer, which included over £500 million in debt. Since 2012, some shares have been traded on the New York Stock Exchange, although the Glazer family maintains overall ownership and control.
Achievement
Domestic Competitions:
- First Division/Premier League (20 titles):
- 1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
- Second Division (2 titles):
- 1935–36, 1974–75
- FA Cup (13 titles):
- 1908–09, 1947–48, 1962–63, 1976–77, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2015–16, 2023–24
- Football League Cup/EFL Cup (6 titles):
- 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2016–17, 2022–23
- FA Charity Shield/FA Community Shield (21 titles):
- 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965*, 1967*, 1977*, 1983, 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 (* shared)
- First Division/Premier League (20 titles):
Continental Competitions:
- European Cup/UEFA Champions League (3 titles):
- 1967–68, 1998–99, 2007–08
- European Cup Winners’ Cup (1 title):
- 1990–91
- UEFA Europa League (1 title):
- 2016–17
- UEFA Super Cup (1 title):
- 1991
- European Cup/UEFA Champions League (3 titles):
Worldwide Competitions:
- FIFA Club World Cup (1 title):
- 2008
- Intercontinental Cup (1 title):
- 1999
- FIFA Club World Cup (1 title):
Notable Player
Cristiano Ronaldo
(2003-2009)
- Arrival: Joined Manchester United in 2003 from Sporting CP.
- Impact: Quickly established himself as a key player with his dribbling, speed, and skill.
- Achievements:
- Premier League Titles (3): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
- FA Cup (1): 2003–04
- League Cups (2): 2005–06, 2008–09
- Community Shield (2): 2007, 2008
- Champions League (1): 2007–08
- FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008
- Individual Honors:
- Won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008.
- Numerous PFA and FWA awards, including PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year.
(2021-2022)
- Return: Rejoined Manchester United in 2021 from Juventus.
- Impact: Continued to be a prolific goal scorer, demonstrating his enduring quality.
- Achievements:
- Scored crucial goals and remained a central figure in the team.
- Legacy:
- Left an indelible mark on the club with his exceptional performances and numerous trophies.
- Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
Wayne Rooney
- Arrival: Joined Manchester United in 2004 from Everton for £25.6 million.
- Role: Played as a forward and attacking midfielder, known for his versatility, strength, and scoring ability.
- Impact:
- Became United’s all-time leading goal scorer with 253 goals in all competitions.
- Key player in many successful campaigns, known for his leadership and work ethic.
- Achievements:
- Premier League Titles (5): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
- FA Cup (1): 2015–16
- League Cups (3): 2005–06, 2009–10, 2016–17
- Community Shields (4): 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016
- Champions League (1): 2007–08
- FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008
- Europa League (1): 2016–17
- Individual Honors:
- PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2009–10)
- FWA Footballer of the Year (2009–10)
- Manchester United’s Player of the Year (2005–06, 2009–10)
- Legacy:
- Considered one of Manchester United’s greatest players.
- Renowned for his tenacity, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess.
David Beckham
- Arrival: Joined Manchester United’s youth academy in 1991 and made his first-team debut in 1992.
- Role: Primarily played as a right midfielder, known for his exceptional crossing, passing ability, and free-kick skills.
- Impact:
- Became a key figure in United’s attacking play during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
- Achievements:
- Premier League Titles (6): 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01
- FA Cups (2): 1993–94, 1995–96
- League Cups (1): 1991–92
- Community Shields (2): 1993, 1994
- Champions League (1): 1998–99
- Intercontinental Cup (1): 1999
- Individual Honors:
- PFA Young Player of the Year (1996–97)
- Several selections for the PFA Team of the Year.
- Legacy:
- Renowned for his work ethic and professionalism.
- Became an international icon and helped popularize Manchester United globally.
- Left the club in 2003 to join Real Madrid, after winning numerous titles and establishing himself as one of the top players in the world.