Introduction
Manchester United began life in 1878 as Newton Heath, formed by workers of Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.
They nearly went bankrupt in 1902 and were rescued and renamed as Manchester United. The earliest known film of Manchester United is the 2–0 victory at Burnley on 6 December 1902, filmed by Mitchell and Kenyon.
United have had three successful eras, under J. Ernest Mangnall in the 1900s, in the 50s and 60s under Sir Matt Busby, and in the 90s to present under Sir Alex Ferguson.
They have won the FA Cup 11 times, the most of any team, and 16 league championships. They have also won the European Cup (now Champions League) three times. These trophies make them the second-most successful club ever in England, behind Liverpool who have a record 18 league titles, 5 European Cups and 6 FA Cups, although Manchester United have sustained their successes over far longer periods.
The 1958 Manchester United team was nicknamed the Busby Babes. On February 6, they were flying home from a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade when the plane crashed on takeoff in a snow storm in Munich, Germany (see Munich air disaster).
Eight team members were killed, and two players suffered career-ending injuries.
Amongst the dead was Duncan Edwards, a 21-year-old who many believe was on his way to establishing himself as one of England's greatest players ever.
One survivor, Bobby Charlton would help England to win the Football World Cup in 1966.
1999 was United's most successful season, in which the Red Devils won the Premier League, the FA Cup (beating Newcastle United 2-0 in the final) and the Champions League. The Champions League final was especially memorable, as United scored two goals in stoppage time to defeat Bayern Munich 2-1. |
 Manchester United began life in 1878 as Newton Heath F.C., a team formed
by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway organization. The club competed in railway competitions until 1889 when it joined the Football Alliance, a league below the Football League. When the Football League expanded in 1892, Newton Heath was elected to the First Division but suffered relegation to the Second Division after just two seasons.
Newton Heath's only claim to success was victory in the 1898 Lancashire Cup and by the turn of the 20th century they were in deep financial trouble. The club's financial problems were so severe that by February 1902 they were in receivership with debts of £2,670. The club was saved by a group of four men who each injected £500 into it, leading the consortium was Manchester brewer J.H Davies.
Until 1893 Newton Heath played at a Spartan ground in Monsall Road, Newton Heath, before relocating to a better-equipped stadium at Bank Street, Clayton.
Manchester United Is Born
Following the takeover by John Henry Davies, the club's finances had been secured and the new owners decided to change Newton Heath's name to Manchester United. The date was 26th April 1902. Another suggested name was Manchester Celtic, but it was not chosen.
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