Newton Heath's first season turned out to be a near disaster with only a victory in a relegation/promotion playoff game saved them from dropping into the lower division. Their first home game was against Burnley and the result was a 1-1 tie, heavy defeats followed from Everton (6-0) Burnley (4-0), West Brom (4-0). Then came an amazing 10-1 victory over Wolves at the North Road ground, but more defeats followed and they finished their first season in 16th place (last) with 18 points and 85 goals conceded. They won their playoff game 5-2 against Stoke City in a replay after the first game turned out a 1-1, the game played at North Road in front of 4,000 on a mud path of a pitch. The facilities in those days were not very good and the teams actually changed in a pub down the road called the Three Crowns.

1893/94

Newton Heath's second season turned out to be worst than the first when they again finished bottom of the League, this time with only six wins in 30 games. They were again scheduled to play a make or break playoff game to decide their fate, this time the opponent was Liverpool who had only been in existence for two years and had won the second division without losing a game. This time there was no respite for the Heathens, they lost 2-0 and were relegated to the second.

Visiting teams had complained so much about the apalling conditions at North Road that the Club moved across town prior to the season begining to a ground in Bank street, Clayton. This new home proved to be not much of an improvement due to a chemical works that stood next to the ground that bellowed out toxic fumes that drifted across the pitch.

1894 was the first year of the Manchester Derby, it was played on November 3rd at the then Manchester City ground Ardwick. The teams had met before in the Manchester Cup, the Football Alliance, and even the FA Cup but this was the first League meeting of the two great rivals. The game was watched by 15,000 fans in threatening weather. The Heathens drew first blood on their neighbors with a 5-2 victory (also won the return fixture 4-1). The game was notable by the home debut of a Manchester City player named Billy Meredith who would go on to become United's first major star in future years.

1894/95

The Heathens had been playing at Bank Steet since leaving the mud of North Road in 1893, but Bank Street turned out to be just as bad and visiting teams continued to complain. On the 9th of March 1895 Walsall Town were the visitors, after arriving they inspected the pitch and immediately lodged a complaint with the League, they grumbled it was not fit for schoolboys to play on. Newton responded by throwing on another layer of sand and thus the fixture took place as scheduled.. This was a regular 2nd division match, with the Heathens attacking from the outset, and by halftime they had a comfortable lead of 3-0. Newton really went to town in the second half though, running a score of 14-0 before the ref blew the final whistle. The Football League however were not impressed with the Heathens victory and after more complaints from the Walsall players who were supported by the referee, Mr Jefferies, they cancelled the result and demanded the teams play again. And after Newton had worked on the pitch for a week they did play, the result? Heathens 9 Walsall 0. Newton had scored a total of 23 goals in the two matches. The season was a little more successful than the previous, but although they spent much of the year in second place they did not gain promotion, because by the end of the year they stood in third position in division two.

1895/96

The season 1895/96 wasn't much better than their first season in the second division. The Heathens couldn't adopt their style of playing to the second division. And by the end of the season they were a long way off the promotion places, they finished sixth with 15 wins and 12 defeats out of 30 games played.

In the FA cup they reached the second round, one round further than last year. 1895 was the year that Newton Heath changed their club's colours. Till this time the club colours had been green and gold, but it now changed to white shirts and blue shorts.

1896/97

After their best season in years Newton Heath finished in 2nd place in the 2nd division and in the play-offs with Burnley and Sunderland, who had finished at the bottom of Div 1, and Notts County, who had won the 2nd div Championship. After beating Burnley 2-0 at home they lost by the same score in the return match and then faced Sunderland at Bank Street. The Sunderland team had been having much success prior to the season having taken the division 1 Championships in 92, 93 and 95, but they had fallen on hard times that year (although that was not to last very long). More than 18,000 fans turned out for the game which finished in a 1-1 draw and sent the Heathens to Roker Park and Notts County only needing a draw to secure a 1st div place, alas this was not to happen as they lost both games and had to settle for another season in div 2.

1897/98

As 1898 drew to a close Newton Heath and across town rivals Man City were the top two teams in the 2nd div, with a team called "New Brighton Tower" in third. On Boxing day the two teams faced each other, the Heathens coming off a 9-0 thrashing of Darwen while City were also coming off a big win against Blackpool (4-2). Confidence was high but it was City who came out the victors making short work of their neighbours in a 4-0 win. Newton never recovered from this and finished the season in 3rd place, 3 points behind Glossop North End and 6 points behind City who won the title and promotion to the first. Once more they had challenged for promotion only to fall by the wayside. In five seasons in the second they had never finished lower than sixth.

1898/99

1899 was to be known for the infamous riots between Celtic and Rangers. After a Scottish Cup final replay the fans tried to burn down the ground and trouble continued for several hours in the streets of Glasgow with 81 policemen having to be treated in hospital. There was also trouble at Everton's Goodison Park after the ref had abandoned a game.

Newton Heath had their own problems with a "scandal" behind the scenes when two players (Boyd and Cunnigham) were suspended by the club for their extracurricular activities. The two players were have said to have been drinking, the Athletic News reported: "If men who are paid good wages don't think it worth their while to keep themselves in condition they are better off out of the team." The week following these suspensions it was the fans turn. After the Heathens took a 2-1 defeat at New Brighton Tower a group of supporters took action by surrounding the referee as he walked off the field, jeering and booing him. The situation could have been worse if it hadn't been for several Club officials and Policemen who escorted the poor referee to dressing room safety. By all reports the referee had been very poor and the youths had been provoked by several dubious decisions. The result of the game seriously dented any hopes of Newton Heath's promotion chances for that year.

1899/00

The start to the 20th century held little relief for the Heathens who had acheived little in recent years and were languishing in the shadow of their rivals Man City who had been recently promoted to the 1st div. The team at that time did see a few changes with Frank Barrett in goal, Harry Stafford and Fred Erentz at the fullback positions, Morgan Griffiths and Carwright were regular choices as centre back, while up front Bryant, Jackson and Cassidy were the regulars. The club had forged strong links Wales at the time and boasted seven Welsh internationals in the line-up, many of them arriving in Manchester looking for work on the railroad. Although rich in Welsh international talent the Club had not a single English International on the books (Billy Bryant was picked to represent the Football League). But even with a solid team and a lot of Welsh internationals Newton Heath could not get the promotion they so desperately needed. For the third time in a row they finished fourth in the second division.

1900/01

The season 1900/01 was the worst season for Newton Heath in seven years of second division football. They started the season with hopes of promotion to the first division, but finished a long way off their target. They ended the season at the tenth place, with 16 defeats out of 34 matches played. Their goal average was just positive with +6 (38-32). This was the sign for the directors to fire their secretary Mr A.H. Albutt and appoint a new one. The new secretary was Mr James West.

1901/02

Newton Heath at the turn of the century were indeed at their lowest ebb. After a decade in the Football league all they had to show was two years in the top flight (both years finishing at the bottom) and eight years in the second. It was decided by the directors that new players had to be bought, but there were no funds available so a Bazzar was arranged by the club to attempt to raise cash. The event was to start on Wednesday 27th February and run for 4 days, the Manchester Evening News reported that the Northern military and Bess-o'th'-barn Brass bands would be playing. The Bazzar ended on Saturday evening but after paying off the cost of renting the hall it was found that the event had hardly been a success and the funds needed still had not been found. The Club's fortunes then took a strange twist, Harry Stafford the Newton Heath captain owned a St Bernard dog, he had taken the dog to the Bazzar and tied a collecting box around its neck, the dog escaped from the hall and was found wandering the City by a Pub landlord, who showed it to a Mr Henry Davies who was then a managing director of the Manchester Brewers.

Davies took a fancy to the dog and immediatley bought it off the landord. Feeling guilty Davies decided to trace the dog's owner and soon found out that it belonged to the Newton captain, after meeting with Stafford the businessman decided to help and made a financial contribution to the club, and made further promises of help for the future. Stafford did not forget that promise! Mr John Henry Davies would become chairman and president of the club in the future. Newton Heath finished the season worse than last and by the end of the season they stood on a 15th place in the league, with 17 defeats out of 34 games played and a negative goal difference (38-53).

In this season Newton Heath changed their club colours again, this time the white shirts and blue shorts were replaced by red shirts and white shorts. The name of Newton Heath was not liked by all, they had left their home in Newton Heath 9 years previously, and following the reorganisation of the Club many called for a name change. Manchester Central was suggested, but it was decided that it sounded too much like a railway station, also suggested and rejected was Manchester Celtic, then a Mr Louis Rocca hit upon the name Manchester United. The name had been suggested before but had not met much support, but this time it stuck and on Saturday 26th April 1902 Newton Heath became Manchester United.

This must have pleased many of the visiting teams and supporters who for years had been showing up for games at the old Newton Heath only to find a dilapidated and empty pitch, and then had to dash across town to arrive minutes before the kickoff.

1902/03

In this season Manchester United could recover a little bit of their bad run in the second division. With Mr. James West as manager they started the season well, but because of a bad run in the end they finished in 5th place. In the FA Cup they could not go further than the second round.

1903/04

Manchester United's manager in 1903 was James West, under him they had begun the season very poorly with two defeats and a draw, on Monday 28th Sept he resigned his position and Ernest Mangnall became the new United manager. Mangnall joined the club from Burnley where he had served as secretary. He would go on to become United's first "great" manager. The new manager had been born in Bolton and was well known in sporting circles in the North west. He was known in particular for his love of cycling, and during his youth had actually cycled the length of Great Britain from John O' Groats to Lands end, he could often be spotted riding his bike to the ground.

With United's financial status at last secure Mangall proved himself a shrewd buyer in the transfer market. He brought goalie Harry Moger to United, along with Alex Bell, Dick Duckworth, and a great centre half in Charlie Roberts. His greatest coup however was bringing the great Billy Meredith across from Man City, other Man City rebels quickly followed Meredith's path and United stole away Herbert Burgess, Sandy Turnbull, and Jimmy Bannister from their rivals. Meredith and Roberts at the time were considered the most talented players in the land. With the new manager and new players United finished third in the league and just missed promotion to the first division.

1904/05

Manchester United's manager Mangnall was building a side that looked better than anything the fans had seen so far. 20 year old Charlie Roberts proved a great buy, signed from Grimsby for the grand total of 450 pounds. He was sturdily built and extremely fast, it was reported that he could run the hundred yards in 11 seconds. This was the time that the world record stood at 9.6 seconds!

Vittorio Pozzo the Italian national team coach was reported to be a huge fan of Roberts and took back to Italy a lasting memory of the player after he visited Clayton to watch him play. Pozzo went on to create one of the finest pre-war teams ever to play the game, he had stated publicly that Roberts had been his inspiration. Strangely enough, the English team selectors didn't seem to agree and Roberts only played for England 3 times, it was believed that his image as somewhat of a rebel contributed to him being ignored this way. Roberts wore his shorts short, this was a time when the FA had ruled that all shorts were to cover the knee, he had also been a pioneer in the Players Union becoming its chairman and later becoming a leader in the "outcasts" (to be explained later).

On Boxing day 1904 united entertained Liverpool at Clayton, 40,000 fans showed up for the game and United defeated the Merseysiders 3-1. It was a high point in the season although Liverpool took their revenge 4 months later and hammered United 4-0 at Anfield to finish the season at the top of the table and again deny United the promotion they desperately desired. They finished on the third spot again with only five defeats out of 34 matches played and 81 goals scored.

1905/06

After 12 unhappy seasons in the second division 1906 was the year that United finally claimed their place again in the top flight. One of the season's finest results in the club's young history was a Cup win over the mighty Aston Villa. Villa had won the League Championship in 1894, 1896, 1897, 1899 and 1900 and they had also won the FA Cup in 1887, 1895, 1897 and 1905. Everyone had Villa as hot favorites to hammer the 2nd div United, but before a record crowd of over 40,000 (gate receipts 1,460 pound) United proceeded to hammer the Villa team 5-1 on the mud bath Clayton pitch. United's joy was short lived though as Woolwich Arsenal beat them in the next round 3-2. Promotion was clinched with a 3-1 victory over Leeds City (yes they were called City back then) and United finished the season out in style by trouncing Burton United 6-0 at Clayton. When the final whistle blew the crowd invaded the pitch and carried the team shoulder high from the field. Ernest Mangnall addressed the cheering fans and promised them that this was only the beginning, he was right!

Although Manchester did gain promotion, they didn't win the second division. They finished on the second place with only 4 defeats out of 38 matches played and they scored an unbelievable amount of goals (90).

1906/07

1907 was the year that Manchester United finally arrived as a major force in the footballing world. Boasting an exciting lineup and playing a brand of football that was to become a hallmark at the club. The backbone of the team had come across from their rivals Man City after a sensational scandal had erupted at the Ardwick club. Players were all supposed to be on a fixed wage of 4 pounds per game, it was discovered that City had been paying 6 or 7 pounds a week per player. The FA were furious about this discovery and dismissed five of the Man City directors and banned 17 of its players from ever appearing in a blue shirt again.

Mangnall acted swiftly and managed first of all to sign Billy Meredith (in 1906) later adding the services of four other City players. Meredith had also been involved in a bribe fiasco and it is said he was lucky not to be banned from the game for life. It is interesting to note here that although the players were signed in 1906, they all were serving FA mandated suspensions, so they did not make their debuts in a Red shirt until 1907. Billy Meredith was known as the 'Welsh Wizard' as he provided the spark that set apart Man United from other clubs establishing a tradition for players of the highest quality to follow him. He was the George Best of the Edwardian era - rebellious, skilled and popular. Many questions about the player's long layoffs were soon answered in the first game of 1907 against Aston Villa when an inspired Meredith darted and teased the Villa defence, finally plotting its downfall by laying on a cross for Turnball to slam into the net.

By the end of the season United had climbed to 8th place and their brand of football was the talk of the town, more importantly they were poised to make an assault one the big prize, the Championship !

1907/08

The 1908 season began in fine style for the men from Clayton, a 4-1 hammering of Villa, a 4-0 win against Liverpool and a 2-1 win over Middlesbourgh. After 14 games had been played, United had only dropped 2 points and stood (for the first time) proudly on top of Div 1. The wins were not squeaked out either, six against Newcastle away, five at Blackburn, four against Everton, Arsenal and Birmingham. United's football was the talk of the footballing press! But despite the roaring start to the season they finished it rather slowly, with a run of 7 defeats in a row. But they were the Champions for the first time and set a new league record with 82 goals scored. Following the season's end the United board decided to reward the team with a trip to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They first played a combined Vienna Sport and Vienna FC team and won comfortably 4-0 before travelling on by train to Budapest for two games against Ferencvaros. United won the first 6-2, but the second sparked off a minor diplomatic incident. United started the game in roaring style and the Hungarian fans applauded in admiration for the English Champions, but United continued to pile it on, and the scene turned sour as the referee sent off three United players and a mini-riot developed. Eventually the police got the scene under control and United finished the game with 8 players, and a 7-0 win. But it was not to end there, as the referee blew the final whistle stones were hurled from the terraces, players were spat on and police had to finally charge the crowd with swords drawn to disperse the throng. United were transported by open top bus to their hotel, and encountered another mob that rained stones down upon them, several players sustained head wounds before the police again got the crowd under control. The Hungarian authorities apologised profusely and United diplomatically shrugged the incidents off and promised to return again the following year. Upon arriving back in Manchester, Mangnall vowed he would never go back to Hungary.

1908/09

Following their first Championship victory United played QPR in the Charity Shield match, the game was played at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge and finished in a 1-1 draw. A replay was arranged and this time more than 40,000 turned out to watch United put on an impressive display with Turnbull getting a hatrick in their 4-0 win. In United's history they had come no closer to winning the FA Cup than the 8th round, with the Championship trophy tucked away in the boardroom they now set sights on the only major British trophy that had so far alluded them.

They started the campaign with a win against Southern league Brighton 1-0. And in the second round were drawn at home again this time against Everton. The Toffees were eliminated by a goal from Halse and the Reds marched on. The Rovers of Blackburn were United's next victims getting a severe 6-1 thrashing at Clayton. For the first time that year they were drawn away in the next round to 2nd div Burnley and were down a goal to nil and looked like they were going out of the Cup again at the eight round when Mother Nature stepped in, snow started to fall in the 18th minute of the game, it turned into a blizzard and the referee had no option but to call off the tie. The replay favoured the Reds and they won a 3-2 contest. United were now in the semi-finals for the first time in their history where they faced stiff opposition from the Cup holders Newcastle. The Geordie's fell to another goal from Halse and United were through to the final. (Newcastle did go on to win the Championship).

The final took place at the Crystal Palace and Bristol City were United's opponents. The City of Manchester was gripped with Cup fever and train excursions to London were offered to the fans for 11 shillings each. United were forced to change their strip and instead of their usual scarlet red they wore white with a red "V". The City of Manchester poured into the Capital and despite the threat of rain 70,000 fans packed into the ground to watch Turnbull score the only goal of the game and with it win the Cup for United.

Billy Meredith is said to have been the difference in the two sides, although by most accounts it was a poor game. After their Cup win the United team were taken to the Alhambra Theatre where they were entertained by football's favorite comedian of the time, George Robey. Accompanying United fans in tweed caps and jackets were a stark contrast to the clientele of the dress circle in their evening jackets and bow ties. The next morning there was something of a scare when the lid to the cup could not be found, but it was eventually discovered in the pocket of Sandy Turnbulls jacket where some practical joker had hid it.

The United team arrived at central station Manchester at 3:30pm that afternoon and were surprised to find an estimated 300,000 fans waiting to welcome them back home. With the brass band playing "see, the conquering hero comes" Mangnall opened the door of his carriage and lifted the old trophy high to a huge roar from the crowd. Following Mangnall, dressed in cloth cap, came Charlie Roberts and the rest of the United team, many of them wearing red and white hats. A motor coach took them through the City and all along the route people hung from windows, climbed statues, perched on roof's all to get a glimpse of their hero's.

Never before had Albert Square seen such scenes. The procession continued to the Clayton ground where over 30,000 fans had been awaiting them for over 3 hours. It was to be the old Clayton grounds finest hour, for United had already given notice that they would be soon quitting its muddy fields for a new stadium being built at Old Trafford.

United still had a game left to play and not surprisingly lost to Arsenal, after the game United's chairman took the FA Cup and filled it with champagne, he then took it to the Arsenal dressing room and invited them to drink to United's health. In August 1909, 4 months after winning the FA cup the whole Manchester United team was suspended by the FA for refusing to renounce the trade union they had helped form. At the outset it had been every professional player in the country that had joined the union, but after pressure from the FA they dropped out one by one until only the Manchester United team was left. The United players stood firm and gained themselves the nickname "the outcasts". It seemed like the end of the season before it started for the club that had just begun to taste success, but when all seemed lost Tim Coleman of Everton walked out on his team mates and sided with the United players. Newcastle United, Middlesborough, and Sunderland all changed their minds also and were followed soon by the rest of the Everton team and the Liverpool team. The FA backed down! A muddled agreement was signed and the crisis was over, but it is thanks to that United team that the player union survived and exists to this day. In the league Manchester did not continue their previous success, finishing a disappointing 13th.

1909/10

The move to a new stadium had been agreed in 1908, Clayton was a disgrace of a pitch. During the winter months it was a quagmire and hardly a fitting place for a team that had won the FA Cup and Championship. The old stadium was sold to the Manchester Corporation for 5,000 pounds and the new site in Trafford Park was purchased with the help of a grant for 60,000 pounds. The site for the new stadium was chosen and paid for by John Henry Davies, who paid all the costs out of his own pocket. The new stadium was planned to be the largest and finest in the country. It was originally designed to hold 100,000 fans, but after construction estimates soared an additional 30,000 pounds over budget, the plans were revised, restricting the gate to around 60,000.

United played their last game at Clayton's Bank street ground on January 10, 1910, defeating Spurs 5-0. Shortly after United officially left the old ground a gale swept across Manchester and blew down the Bank Street stand causing damage to houses in the surrounding area. The new ground was opened on February 19 and named 'Old Trafford'. Liverpool were the opponents that day and spoiled the party by beating United 4-3 after United had led 2-0. They soon got used to the new ground though and it was October 21, a year later, before they suffered another defeat at home.

The price of admission for the games at Old Trafford at the time was, best reserved seats five shillings, while to stand on the terraces cost sixpence. With the new stadium, United had a better season than last year, finishing on fifth in the league.

1910/11

But after two disappointing seasons the 1910/11 season would be a great season for Manchester United, it also would be the last season of one of the great managers of United, Ernest Mangnall. For the first time in their new stadium they became the Champions of the first division for the second time. This time United's title was clinched by just one point ahead of Aston Villa. United lost 8 of their 38 matches and drew 8 as well, they scored 72 goals. In the FA Cup United could reach the third round.

1911/12

As League Champions United were once again invited to play in the Charity Shield. This time their opponents were Swindon Town, winners of the Southern League. The game was played at Stamford Bridge but only attracted a crowd of 8,000 which was a pity because the two teams served up 12 goals in a 8-4 win for United.

1911 began another bleak period for the Reds. Ernest Mangnall had created a great team, but in August 1912 he surprisingly left the club and joined Manchester City as their new manager. Earlier the same week he had turned down a 1,500 pound bid from City for United captain Charlie Roberts. After a emergency meeting of the board at Old Trafford it was decided that they could not change Mangnall's mind and he left with their blessings. Eighteen months later City were top of div 1 and United were struggling next to bottom. Mangnall's achievements at United cannot be underestimated, not only did he win two championships and an FA Cup, he bought players of skill and flair who gave United an unmistakable touch of class and a reputation for attacking flowing football. He had also built the finest stadium in the land at Old Trafford to accommodate all this talent. It would take United 40 years to recover from the loss of him.

Without Mangnall the Champions finished the season a very disappointing 13th, with more defeats than wins (14 defeats and 13 wins).

1912/13

This was the last revival of United before a very bad period began for them. In this period they finished five times in the bottom of the first division and were finally relegated to the second division. In the second division they needed three years to come back to the highest platform. Hereafter they finished sixth years in a row in the bottom of the first division aagin and the sixth time the relegated again, they promoted again, but a few years later the were relegated for the third time.

In 1937/38 they gained promotion back to the first division. But from 1912/13 till the Second World War Manchester United continued to be trapped between the first and second divisions, not winning anything until 1948, except the second division in 1935.

This season was their last good season in the first division till 1945/46. United finished fourth in the league, with 69 goals scored, they also reached the third round in the FA Cup. But hard years lay ahead for Manchester United.

1913/14

United were back in dire financial straits in 1913 following the building of Old Trafford. It was a huge debt to the club and with the war years beckoning it was indeed dark days for the Club. The move of their manager to City was a sensation to the Old Trafford faithful, but it got worse. Concerned with the debt the Board accepted a 1500 pound bid from Oldham Athletic for their captain and spiritual leader Charlie Roberts. This caused shock waves throughout the City. The Mangnall move had marking the beginning of the end for United and the Roberts deal was merely another nail in the coffin. Players were being sold and the magnificent Manchester United team was finally broken.

War was declared on August 4 1914, the belief at the time was it would be a short affair and that the mainsteam life of the public would not be affected, therefore the League decided to continue on. Initially there was no affect on the game, but as players enlisted in the services to join Lord Kitcheners mighty Army the ranks of players became depleted and it wasn't long before the attendances fell way off as the public lost its appetite for fun after being faced with the reality of World War I. United ended the season avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth.

1914/15

On good Friday 1915 United faced rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. United were struggling for survival while Liverpool were comfortable in the middle of the table, with no chance for either Championship or relegation. The game finished with a rather surprising victory to United 2-0, but it didn't end there. The referee had reckoned it had been a peculiar game to say the least, and the press had commented on Liverpool's laxadaisical approach. They had missed a penalty and never looked like the true Liverpool. Within a few weeks more speculation with a handbill that was being passed around Liverpool and Manchester put out by a firm of Bookmakers who it seemed had taken an unusual amount of bets for a United 2-0 win.

Although it was not unusual in those days to bet on football games it was unusual to bet on the actual score. The Bookies had laid 7-1 against United winning 2-0. Before long the Football league conducted a formal inquiry into the game and a commission came up with the findings that the game had indeed been fixed by players from both teams. Three United players (Turnbull, West, and Whalley) and four Liverpool players (Sheldon, Miller, Fairfoul, Purcell) were charged with the offense and all were found guilty. The ringleader was reported to be Sheldon an ex-United player playing for Liverpool. The players were suspended from the game for life, only West of United formally protested his innocence taking out a libel action suit against the FA, which he lost in court.

The League decided to lift the ban at the end of the war on all players except West who continued to protest his innocence, but he was never forgiven and the ban wasn't lifted on him until 1945 by which time he was a bitter and disillusioned man who had long since shunned all mention of Football. Interestingly enough the fix was done not to save United from relegation, but to put money in the players pockets. United survived the drop that year by exactly 2 points.

Football was officially suspended at the end of the 1914-15 season due to the war in Europe. In the place of the Football league a variety of regional divisions were established. United joined forces with Everton, Liverpool, Man City and Stockport County to form a Lancashire League southern section, but in time the Country was split into a North and South sections, a guesting system was set up as more and more players were called up for active duty. It was a dark period for United, their magnificent ground at Old Trafford stood silent and empty and with most of their team away fighting the war in Europe the results got worse and worse. Stockport, Oldham and Rochdale regularly beat them and in March 1916 they could only attract a crowd of 500 spectators to watch them lose by a single goal to Oldham and slump to the bottom of even their small league.

1919/20

In 1919 League Football finally resumed after its four year disruption. United started the season looking nothing like the powerhouse they had been before the war. Players had transferred out to other Clubs, Billy Meredith was arguing with the club over a transfer, West of course was still banned while Sandy Turnbull had been killed in action during the war.

John Robson was the new manager and he brought in a brood of young players he had been grooming, along with several modest signings such as Clarence Hilditich from Altringham, and Charlie Moore from Hednesford Town. The team did not challenge for the League or Cup but finished a respectable 12th place. Crowds were coming back to the stadiums to watch the game again, the average gate at all 1st division matches in 1920 was 22,000 while United's average was around 30,000. On December 27 1920 70,504 fans showed up to watch United take on Aston Villa, for the record Villa beat the Reds 3-1 that day. The Stadium that had been such a drain on their capital for so many years was now beginning to pay dividends, as it would for many years to come.

1920/21

The 1920/21 season was even worse than the previous one. After an argument with the club, Billy Meredith was given a free transfer at the age of 48 and rejoined Manchester City. Billy Meredith played for United from 1906 till 1921, playing 332 matches for them. With this amount he stands at 30th places of the all time appearance records. His departure was the beginning of the end. That season United finished 13th, with two more defeats than they had wins (15-17). In the FA cup they lost in the first round.

1921/22

Since the end of the war United had finished up in 12th and 13th position in the league and had no joy in the FA Cup. The 1921 season started out in terrible fashion with just five points from 7 games. Their manager John Robson had become ill and it was agreed that he would step down to assistant manager to make way for John Chapman, a Scot United hired away from Airdrieonians. The deterioration continued under Chapman's watch with Man City thrashing them 4-1. United sank to the bottom of the league and stayed there the length of the season. They were relegated to the 2nd division again after finishing with only 28 points.

Joe Spence was the only bright light for the team. He had joined United in 1919 from Scotswood and remained at Old Trafford until June 1933 when he moved to Bradford City. In all he made 510 appearances for the club, a record that stood for 40 years when it was bettered by Bill Foukes.

1922/23

In 1923 life in the second division proved to be more difficult than United had anticipated, they were favorites to return to the top flight on their first attempt, instead they finished in 4th place while Notts County finished as Champions and were promoted. During the season County had stayed on top and it was very surprising to them that while entertaining United at the City Ground, United soundly thrashed them 6-1. County had a goalie that was considered one of the best anywhere, Albert Iremonger who stood 6' 6" tall, but on that day he spent the whole afternoon trying to keep the rampant reds away. The man of the match was Frank Barson, the United centre half. He had been signed by United from Aston Villa for 5,000 pounds and the promise of his own pub if United gained promotion within three years. They were and the story goes that when Frank opened the door of his new pub he was swamped in the rush and decided then and there that running a pub was not the life for him. The story of United's season this year was one of a team that had all the talent, but maybe not the will to win.

1923/24

If 1923 wasn't difficult enough for United than this year was even worse. They had their third worst season in their history. They lost in the second round of the FA Cup but in the league they finished 14th, with 13 wins, 14 draws and 15 defeats. The club that had been the champions of England 12 years ago, now had to worry about avoiding relegation to the third division.

1924/25

But there came no relegation. The next season United got themselves together and finished the league in a fine second position in the league. This meant that United were promoted back to the first division. In this season United lost 8 of their 42 matches, but won 23 of them, scoring only 53 goals in all their matches. In the FA Cup United lost once again in the first round. A combined United/City team met a Liverpool/Everton side in a testimonial match for Ernest Mangnall who had led United in two league Championships and an FA Cup triumph.

1925/26

The first year back in the first division after four years was not a bad year for United. They finished a long way from the Championship, but they also never came in any danger of relegation. At the end of the season United finished in 9th place, with two more wins than defeats (19-17). Their goal average was not so good, having only scored 66 goals while scoring 73 goals. In the FA Cup United did very well, they reached the semi finals, but couldn't get into the final. That season would be the last season for the United manager John Chapman, who was manager from 1921 till 1926. With him United had been relegated once and promoted three years later, he did not win any trophies with United in this difficult time for the club.

1926/27

On the 20th of September 1926 an FA investigating committee met at the Grand Hotel in Manchester to begin an inquiry into the affairs of Manchester United. The committe met again in Sheffield the following week and then met once more back in Manchester the first week of October. What they were investigating to this day remains unknown but on the 7th of October they announced to an astonished footballing public that United manager John Chapman was to be suspended from Football for improper conduct in his position as secretary-manager of the Manchester United Football Club. Nothing further was added and no explanation has ever been given to this day. In Chapmans place United appointed Clarence Hilditch as caretaker, Clarence was the starting right half for United. To this date he remains the only player-manager in the club's history. Hilditch did a workmanlike job and managed to keep the Reds in the first division that year, but only by the skin of their teeth. United finished 15th in the league. Hilditch was replaced 7 months later by an old Friend of United's!

1927/28

The Old Trafford team began the 1927/28 season with a new manager, Herbert Bamlett. His claim to fame had been to take a struggling Middlesbrough from the second to the first the previous year. But United fans remembered him for something else. Bamlett had been an accomplished referee and had even referreed the 1915 FA Cup final, he was also the referee that had called off the 1909 Burnley - United Cup tie because of the snowstorm (United won the rearranged match and went on to lift the Cup). Maybe United owed him a favour for that decision? The new manager did no bring good times back to Old Trafford, the team hovered just above the relegation zone all season and on April 22nd found themselves at the foot of the table. It was the last game of the season and the log jam at the bottom was so tight that there was only 7 points separating the bottom club from the 4th placed team in the league. United were 2rd from the bottom but all the three bottom clubs were level on points and games played. It was to come down to the last game of the season, and goal difference. The visitors that day were Liverpool and not many of the United faithful held much hope with both Spurs and Middlesbrough having better goal difference.

Within 11 minutes United favorite Joe Spence had shot United into the lead. Rawlings added two more before Liverpool replied and then Spence added another to make the halftime score 4-1. As the teams came out for the second half Old Trafford was electric, the 30,000 strong crowd willing the team on, and it worked, Spence scoring two more to complete a hat trick and send Liverpool home losers by 6 goals to one. At the end of the game the players stayed on the field waiting nervously for the Spurs and Middlesbrough results, had they done enough to stay up? They had!! Spurs and Middlesbrough went down and United had dodged the drop, they stayed up on goal difference. The 6th goal had proved decisive.

1928/29

United lost 15 matches before March 1929 was over and again were looking contenders for relegation. However thanks to a rousing end to the season they again managed to survive, finishing the last 6 games with 5 wins and a tie. Most of the explanation for this turn around could be found in the signing of Tom Reid from Liverpool. Reid, a Scot scored 14 goals in 17 appearances that season and went on to score 67 goals in just 101 games before joining Oldham five years later. But United were still not setting the league alight, it seemed as though they stayed in a never ending battle to stay out of the relegation zone. And it was to get Worse!

1929/30

And worse it got in the next season, when United had a lot of trouble staying in the first division. They finished the league in 17th place, just enough to stay in the top division. But from 42 games United lost 19 and won only 15, with a goal average of -21 (67-88). But although United played no role whatsoever in the title run-ins of the last few years, they did better in the FA Cup. In the 1925/26 season they reached the semi-finals of the competition. In 1926/27 they reached the third round, in 1927/28 they got to the sixth round, while in 1928/29 they lost in the fourth round and in 1929/30 United were knocked out in the third round.

1930/31

As if the previous season had not been bad enough the 1930-31 campaign had to go down as one of United's worst. They started the season losing 4-0 to Villa, followed by a 3-0 loss to Middlesbrough, and then things continued to go downhill. Losses to Chelsea 6-2, Huddersfield 6-0 and Newcastle 7-4 and United's usual devoted support started to wane. By the time Newcastle were waxing them at Old Trafford the crowd numbered less than 11,000.

There was much discontentment from the terraces and the normally placid Supporters club began to make waves. Handbills were passed out outside the ground on match days calling for the Club to heed a five point plan that they had presented to them. The supporters wanted a new manager, an improved scouting system, some new signings, five shareholders elected to the board, and money to be raised through a new share issue. The club ignored the demands refusing to even meet with them, arguing that the Supporters Club was an unofficial body not recognized by the Club and unrepresentative of the bulk of the supporters. Results continued to get worse and by the end of September they had lost all of the opening eight games and were sitting at the foot of the table. On October 4th the team went across town for the derby with Man City under a threat from the Supporters Club that if the board did not respond to them there would be a mass boycott of the home fixture against Arsenal scheduled for the 18th of October. The Club did not respond. Man City defeated them 4-1, and the following week West Ham hammered them 5-1. The Supporters Club called an emergency meeting to be held at Hulme Town Hall and as many as 3,000 were reported to have turned up. Mr Greenhough, secretary of the Supporters Club moved that the boycott against Arsenal should go ahead.

Charlie Roberts, the former club captain spoke against the boycott and argued that the fans should be getting behind the team not boycotting them. Roberts was shouted down and the vote was taken to boycott the Arsenal game which was to be played the following day. The visit of the previous years Cup winning team was considered a huge game, and the newspapers had talked about a possible 50,000 crowd, 23,000 made the effort. United lost 2-1 and followed that with a 4-1 loss to Portsmouth.

After these games the attendances slumped even lower and in fact the only time the crowd bettered 10,000 the rest of the year was the local home derby with Man City. In their final game 3,900 watched them play out a 4-4 draw with Middlesbrough. They had lost 27 matches while only winning 7 and conceding a staggering 115 goals. At the end of the season the board finally acted and fired Herbert Bamlett, there was no immediate replacement for him and secretary Walter Crickmer and Louis Rocca took over the reins. But even the long serving secretary, and the man who had named the club Manchester United could not help United's slide and as 1931 ended the club were once again almost bankrupt.

It was at this point that a fairy godmother came to the rescue, this time James Gibson placed 2,000 pound at the club's disposal and indicated he was ready to make further funds available if the board would reconstitute itself. James Gibson was made President and another financial crisis was averted, Gibson placing cash at the club's disposal and guaranting the players' wages.

1931/32

In May 1931 Herbert Bamlett was sacked as manager after United were relegated, finishing bottom and conceding 115 goals. Walter Crickmer, who was club secretary at the time, took over the duties of team selection along with Louis Rocca, until August 1932, when Scott Duncan, an ex-player, who had guested for the club during the 1st world war, was appointed. Duncan had played with Newcastle, and Dumbarton and was also one of the few players who could boast playing for both Glasgow Celtic and Rangers. Duncan was to be paid a salary of 800 pounds a year and after taking over at the helm he promised to infuse new blood into the team and to re-vamp the Youth system.

But Duncan did not fulfil his promises, spending a very large amount of money on new players, mainly from his native Scotland. His signings included Neil Dewar from Third Lanark, Chalmers from Cowdenbeath, Byrne from Shamrock Rovers (Ireland) and Bamford from Wrexham. He had the huge task to bring United back into the first division, but he couldn't do it in his first season at the former English champions. His first season saw United finish 12th in the second division and reach the third round of the FA Cup, but the hard years for Duncan still had to come.

1932/33

The second season of Scott Duncan as manager of United was a little better. After finishing 12th in his first season he now finished 6th in the league, but he never got United anywhere near the promotion places, so it was hardly a return for the outlay. In the FA Cup he reached, just like the previous year, the third round, but again United lost at home to Middlesbrough 1-4 in that third round. In this year, just as last year, United managed to score 71 goals in the league, what is a large amount for a team out the middle group in the second division.

1933/34

On December 26th 1933 Grimsby Town defeated the United team 7-3, things just were not getting any better at Old Trafford. During the season United searched for the right blend, and by season end they had used 38 players. On May 4th 1934 Manchester United travelled to Millwall knowing that only a victory could save them from the humiliating drop into the 3rd division north. The `Manchester Evening News' had already wrote them off and called it "the most heartbreaking season in the history of Manchester United". They stood next to bottom on 32 points, while Millwall were just above them on 33 points. If United won the game Millwall would be relegated. Millwall started the game with a flourish and pinned the Reds back in defence for long periods of time. Then against the run of play United got a breakaway goal to make the score at halftime United 1 Millwall 0. Within two minutes of the restart Cape added another goal for United and the team began playing with confidence and won the game comfortably 2-0. United's travelling supporters numbered over 3,000 and upon returning to Manchester Central that night the team found many thousands more waiting to welcome their hero's home. United had survived once again at the last gasp!

1934/35

United could only improve after the worst season in their 47 years history. This season they finished in a good fifth place in the league playing good football, making it difficult for all teams in the league to beat them. But they only scored 55 goals themselves. In the FA Cup they did made good progress as well, reaching the fourth round.

By the end of the season United was tipped to gain promotion next year. At last things were starting to look up.

1935/36

The Thirties had so far not been good years at Old Trafford and the 1935-36 season started out just as bad as the previous years. On January 4th they were to lose to Bradford City, but in an amazing turnaround this loss was to be the last of the seaso. By Febuary they had begun climbing up the table. Manager Scott Duncan claimed it was a new plan he had instilled that was the reason for the upsurge, he said they had been concentrating on getting a point away and two at home. Whatever the reason it was working and by mid-March they had jumped to 4th place just three points behind the leaders.

In April they were in 2nd place and Old Trafford was sensing the prospect of promotion. The crucial game came on Wednesday 29 April when they travelled to nearby Bury, United had beaten them on the previous weekend at Old Trafford and a win was needed to stay in the promotion race. As many as 20,000 fans made the short trip to see United win the game and keep their hopes alive going into the last week of the season. United did not disappoint their travelling fans and defeated Bury 3-2. After the game the fans invaded the field and carried their hero's shoulder high to the dressing rooms. The following Saturday only a point was needed for United to be crowned 2nd Champions, it was duly achieved with a 1-1 draw. It had been United's home record that formed the backbone of their triumph. They had lost just two games at Old Trafford and drawn only three, scoring 55 goals.

1936-38

United's return to the top flight was indeed short lived. They returned to division two the following season. 1937 however was to mark the year two players were signed who would dramatically change the club's future fortunes. Johnny Carey joined the club from Dublin side St James' Gate for 250 pounds, he began life at Old Trafford as an inside forward, but would soon convert to become one of the all time great fullbacks the World had ever seen. A month after Carey's debut Duncan signed another youngster, this time paying Bournemouth 3,000 pounds for Jack Rowley. After the first 15 games of 1937/38 Duncan resigned to take over at Ipswich Town, despite having 4 years of a 5 year contract remaining.

Crickmer again took over the managerial reins in November 1937. At the time United were nothing more than a good 2nd division side, however his first game United hammered Chesterfield 7-1 and began a run that would again gain them promotion as runners-up, while reigning champions Manchester City were relegated. The next manager of United became Jimmy Porter. He stayed manager of United until 1944. Crickmer continued his combined duties at that point until February 1945, when Matt Busby was offered a 5 year contract by the Directors upon completion of his army duties. Porter managed to give United their promotion and he did what others before him couldn't do, keep United in the first division.

1938/39

This was the first and only season for Porter with United in the first division. He had a hard fight to avoid relegation, but he managed to keep them there. They finished 14th in the league, with 11 wins, 16 draws and 15 defeats. United did not score more than 65 goals, but still had a high goal average of +27. A record Old Trafford attendance of 76,962 watches the FA Cup semi-final between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town in March. By that time United were already out of the FA Cup, having lost in the third round.

World War II

There was much apprehension on the terraces that final Saturday before war broke out. Everyone knew that the deadline given to Germany by the British government to pull out of Poland was only hours away and everybody had realized by then that Hitler would not retreat. United were away to Charlton on what was the third game of a new season. They had begun the season brightly winning 4-0 at Grimsby followed by a weekday tie at Chelsea, but Charlton beat them this day 2-0. The next morning at 11am war was declared on Germany.

The football league met two days later and made the decision to cancel the League season. It would be seven years before League soccer reappeared, although soccer was played in some form or fashion through that painful duration. In place of League play a series of regional leagues were formed much like what had happened in the 1st world war, and a guesting system was introduced once more. This made for strange bedfellows indeed with some small 3rd division sides often fielding famous international stars that just happened to be posted close by, while some major clubs scratched around for players. In June 1940 United fielded an unusual lineup on one occasion with Man City star Peter Doherty and Stanley Mathews featuring on the same forward line as a center forward who had been drafted out of a local pub team. Throughout the 6 years of hostilities there were few prizes to be won, and even fewer spectators showed up to watch, United rarely attracted a crowd of over 4,000.

For the record United won the Lancashire Cup in 1941, beating Burnley, and topped their regional League in 1941-42, there was little else to boast about other than a few spectacular scorelines. New Brighton were hammered 13-1 in 1941 and Wrexham were beaten 10-3 the same year, while Burnley were defeated 9-0 in 1944.

On the night of Tuesday 11th March 1941 there was a roar around Old Trafford, but it was not coming from the terraces but rather from the drone of German planes overhead. The magnificent stadium sustained heavy bomb damage, and was in a dilapidated state, a shadow of its former self. The terraces were covered in weeds and grass and out on the famous turf a 6' high bush had sprouted. Thanks to the kindness of Manchester City, United were given use of Maine Road, although they didn't return any favors slamming City 7-1 a month later.

1945/46

Actual News report as reported in the Manchester Evening News Monday 19th Feb 1945:

Matt Busby signs as United Manager

Company Sergeant-Major Instructor Matt Busby, Liverpool right back and Scotland captain, today signed an agreement to become manager of Manchester United when he is demoblised. Only a few years ago Busby (now aged 34) who has proved himself one of the great half backs of modern times, was the "forgotten man" of International Football. ATTRACTIVE PLAYER His thousands of Manchester fans, remembering him as a stylish and attractive player when he turned out For Manchester City, unswervingly believed in his brilliance when Scotland's selectors seem to have neglected and forgotten him. And he justified their faith. After one pre-war international cap in 1934 we was ignored until the 1941-42 season, since when he has appeared for Scotland in eight games, several times as skipper. in these games he has been outstanding, and today he made a name in Scottish Football. "Busby has had a number of offers, but he approached us himself as he particularly wanted to come back to Manchester," Mr W. Crickmer Manchester United secretary explained today. "He will build up the team and put it where it belongs-at the top." Busby who played with Alex James as a boy, left Manchester City for Liverpool in 1936 at a fee of 8,000 pounds, and has been released from his appointment as Liverpool's post-war coach.
Although nobody could have known it, the signing of Matt Busby was as momentous an event as any in the history of Manchester United. It ranked alongside the appointment of Ernest Mangnall, the signing of Billy Meredith and the timely intervention of JH Davies to save the Club from bankruptcy.

At the time Busby was still on Liverpool's books and still in the Army as an instructor at the Sandhurst Military Academy when he received a letter from Louis Rocca, the United scout, informing him of the managerial vacancy at Old Trafford. Busby was keen to come to Old Trafford and quickly arranged a meeting with Crickmer the United secretary. The rest is history.

Busby's footballing career had ironically enough began at Manchester City where he begun as a 17 year old and played more than 200 games before moving to Liverpool. Busby, the son of a Scottish miner, was a stylish half-back with Manchester City and Liverpool before World War Two and although he won only one full cap for Scotland, he skippered his country in several wartime internationals. He was only 34 when he took over at Old Trafford, but even so was in great demand, turning down Spurs, Liverpool, Reading and Ayre United to join the Reds. There was no doubt that Manchester was where Busby's heart lay. His arrival was to spark the fusion of two great forces.

1946/47

It was 1946 and the war was over, and League football kicked off again. The crowds flocked to the games hungry for football again after the long lay-off. Crowds were averaging 50,000 at the large clubs and United were getting 40,000 every week although playing at Maine road due to Old Trafford still not having being rebuilt yet. The United team that started the season was indeed impressive, with Jack Crompton in goal, Johnny Carey and John Aston in front of him, while Chilton, (who had been wounded in the war) Warner and Cockburn formed the halfback line. Up front there was Jimmy Delaney a 4,000 pound buy from Celtic and Stan Pearson a rugged energetic and scheming player who partnered the great Jack Rowley. Charlie Mitten prowled the left wing. It was an oustanding team and with Matt Busby and now Jimmy Murphy at the helm it was one that would transform United from the music-hall joke of pre-war football to giants of the post war years. United began the 1946-47 Season in great form with 5 victories, including a 5-0 win over eventual Champions Liverpool. United were leading contenders all year along with Liverpool, Stoke City, and Wolves, but Liverpool out lasted them and won the title with United finishing as runners up. it had been a brave campaign by Busby's new team, who struck 95 goals and boasted fewer defeats than anyone else. Jack Rowley was leading scorer with 26 goals, followed by Stan Pearson with 19. Bert Whalley had been chosen regularly at half back, however in 1947 he decided to hang up his books and take a coaching job under Busby. This would prove to be highly significant in future years. Bert Whalley was an instant success as a coach, guiding, developing, and motivating a group of youngsters at the Club who would find recognition of their own in the near future, this group of youngsters would be later known to the Football world as: The Busby Babes.

1947/48

The 'News of the World' Newspaper called the 1948 Cup final 'Wembley's finest' this was maybe a slight exaggeration, although there is no doubting it was one of the finest games ever played on the Wembley turf. United had arrived at Wembley via a most difficult route. In the third round they defeated Aston villa 6-4 after being down a goal in 13 seconds, at half time they were leading 5-1 but Villa fought back to 5-4 before Stan Pearson scored a sixth for the Reds. Then they drew current League Champions Liverpool at home, but because Old Trafford was still not ready to be used and Maine road was not available due to City being also drawn at home United had to find another ground to play the Cup tie at. They plumped for Liverpool's rivals ground at Everton and it proved to be a lucky venue for the Reds as they won 3-0 at Goodison Park in front of a 74,000 crowd. Next up was Charlton, but City had again been drawn at home and this time United chose to play at Leeds Road Huddersfield. Again the Reds won their 'home game' when they beat the London Club 2-0. On to the quarter-finals and a game against Preston North End, Man City having a league fixture arranged for the same day the Reds had to find yet another place to play, this time it was Villa Park and another win for United 4-2 in front of yet another 74,000. Derby County were to provide the opposition in the semi-final and it was slated for Hillsborough Sheffield. Stan Pearson hit a hat trick to add to the 4 goals he had already scored in the remarkable cup run, and United ran out winners 3-1. United had faced 1st Div opposition in every round and had been watched by an astonishing 300,000 and the Wembley date would make it 400,000 aggregate attendance, which stands as a record to this day. In the final United faced another Lancashire team in Blackpool who of course boasted the services of the great Stanley Matthews who was recognized all over the World as being the greatest player of the day. Blackpool took the lead when Shimwell scored from the penalty spot after 12 minutes, but United stormed back and 27 minutes into the game they levelled the scores as Jack Rowley out sprinted the Blackpool goalkeeper to thunder a shot into the net. Blackpool were proving to be more than worthy opponents and they struck again when Stan Mortensen slotted home a goal from a Matthews free kick. Skipper Johnny Carey was having a storm of a game and his prompting and constant surges forward paid off when Rowley headed home a free kick to draw the two sides level again. Ten minutes later the Cup was secured for United when Stan Pearson slammed home the winner. Pearson had scored 8 goals in six matches for the Reds, and he would always be remembered as the man who fired United on their way to another Cup Triumph. The double was nearly achieved. United won at Wembley to lift the FA Cup for the second time, but were pipped by Arsenal for the League tittle.

1948/49

The next United tried again to achieve the so wanted double, want again they failed. In the FA Cup the played the best football of England till the semi finals. Everyone was positive that United would also win this semi final and go for their second successive FA Cup win. But in the semi finals United lost. And in the league they couldn't win also. For the third time in a row United finished second in the league. But the hard times from before the war were forgotten and with Busby as manager happy days lay ahead.

1949/50

After 8 years absence from their home Manchester United returned to Old Trafford in 1949, the bomb damage had been mostly repaired there was still some work to be done, but the gates opened for a crowd of 42,000 to pack inside and watch the Reds face Bolton Wanderers on a breezy summer day in August. It was an exciting event with traffic backed up for miles which caused many to be late for the kickoff, but when the Stadium finally filled, the noise was reported to be deafening and the Stretford End roared their approval as Charlie Mitten became the first player to score the a goal at Old Trafford for 8 years. United ran out 3-0 winners. United didn't finish the league as good as the last three years, the became fourth. In the FA cup the couldn't do it as well, they only reached the sixth round. Busby bought a new goalkeeper, he signed Ray Wood for 6,000 from Darlington.

1950-52

United fans were astonished when they read their morning newspapers during the summer of 1950. Charlie Mitten had deserted Old Trafford for an unknown Columbian team by the name of Santa Fe, after 113 consecutive appearances in the red shirt Mitten was off to South America. Mitten and his fellow professionals were earning a maximum 12 pounds a week, Santa Fe promised him a signing bonus of 2,500 pounds plus a salary of 2,500 pounds per year and a win bonus of 35 pounds a week, he was 29 years old. Life in Bogata did not suit him however and he was soon on his way back to England, he was still officially a United player, but upon his return they made it apparent they would not continue with his services. He went on to sign with Fulham, later becoming manager of Mansfield before joining Newcastle as Manager. On Saturday, 24th November 1951 United gave a debut to two youngsters who over the next few years would play a vital role in the club's fortunes. One of the players was named Jackie Blanchflower, the other Roger Byrne, they were selected to play against Liverpool at Anfield. Tom Jackson of the Manchester Evening News wrote: United's 'Babes' were cool and confident. It would be the first time the word `Babe' would be used in conjunction with United. The introduction of Byrne and Blanchflower signalled the beginning of changes in the team, United went on to win the Championship in 1952 with the old guard forming the backbone of the team, however in the reserve and youth teams players were pushing the older established players for their spots every week Since the war United had never been out of the top four, so the title was long overdue when it finally arrived in 1952.

They moved on top in February and stayed there the rest of the season, even though in the end it took a win in the penultimate game of the season to secure the title. Arsenal needed to beat United by 7 goals to snatch the title, it was never to happen as the Reds finished the season in rousing form hammering the Gunners 6-1.

1952/53

It was the day Stalin died, but more important to Man United fans it was the day United signed a young inside forward named Tommy Taylor. It was said that 17 different clubs had all put offers in to Barnsley for their free scoring gem, but Matt Busby was the manager who pulled off what was later to prove to be maybe his best signing. The highest fee United had ever spent (29,999 pounds) when asked why he had not made it 30,000 Busby replied that he had not wanted to burden the young man with a 30,000 fee. Taylor was the final piece in the Busby jigsaw and went from strength to strength with the club. 1953 also saw the debut of another United great to be when a 16 year old Duncan Edwards was told by Busby `go get your boots son, you are playing for the first team against Cardiff City'. So on the 4th of April 1953 Edwards played against Cardiff City, he was the fifth teenager that year to wear the red of Man United. 1953 also marked the retirement of the great club servant Johnny Carey. Carey had appeared for United in no less than 9 different positions, and in seven different spots for his Country Ireland. He had played 344 games for the Reds and had captained them to FA cup and Championship glory. His replacement was a cool young player by the name of Roger Byrne. Carey went on to become Manager of Blackburn Rovers, and later Everton, Leyton Orient, and Notts Forest. In this year the youth team won the FA youth cup. Over two legs they beat Wolves 9-3 on aggregate. The team was Clayton, Fulton, Kennedy, Coleman, Edwards, McFarlaine, Whelan, Lewis, Pegg and Scanlon. All the youth players that made their debut in these years are a tribute to the scouting skills of Joe Armstrong who succeede Louis Rocca after the war. The Champions finished the league at only a 8th place, in the FA Cup they came till the fifth round and then lost.

1953/54

1954 saw United's Youth team repeat the previous years victory in the Youth Cup by defeating Wolves in a two legged affair 4-4 (home) and 1-0 at Molineux. The two games were watched by over 40,000 fans, United went on to capture the Youth Cup five times in succession. Many of the Youth team were being introduced into the senior side, Duncan Edwards had become a regular, while players such as Jackie Blanchflower, Dennis Violett, Colin Webster, Albert Scanlon, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Billy Whelan, and Bill Foukes were all experiencing their first taste of League soccer. Roger Byrne although only 25 years old was already the established captain of the 1st Division side. Of the team that had beaten Wolves eight went on to claim regular spots in the starting lineup for the Reds, and three of these were to lose their lives in the Munich air crash. But still United did not became the champion of England, the finished 4th in the league and lost very disappointing in the third round of the FA Cup.

1954/55

The Busby Babes were almost ready to take charge in the England football, but this year they couldn't bring the championship back home. The young team finished 5th in the league and managed to score 84 goals in 42 matches. United got till the fourth round of the FA Cup, while the youth team won another FA Youth Cup final, they won against West Bromwich Albion 7-1 on aggregate.

1955/56

United's new young team were making noises that they were ready to challenge for England's highest honor, the League Championship. Some football writers were predicting a great future for the exciting new team, but many of them quibbled that there was two much youth, and too little experience for the team to actually scale the top heights. At the start of the season it looked like the media had been correct, with only three wins in 8 games, but from then on the youngsters found their feet and only lost 4 more games the rest of the season. By Christmas it was all over! United sat on top of the league and were never to look back, in the end they finished 11 points ahead of Blackpool, the youngsters had proved themselves and the English football public were in awe of the youthful Champions. Young Denis Viollet scored twenty goals in this his first season with the senior squad (he had made his debut in 53, but had to wait to 1955 to secure his spot in the team). Violett was born in Manchester and went on to score 20 plus goals a season for the next 6 seasons. When he left the Club in 1962 to join Stoke City he had scored 178 goals in 291 appearances (he went on to score 59 more at Stoke before leaving for the USA) The championship was secured on April 7th when 62,277 fans watched the Red Devils beat Blackpool 2-1 at Old Trafford. in a period of 10 years United had only been out of the top 4 spots twice, and the latest Championship had been won by a team whose average age was just 22. United's fourth league title was ample consoladation for a shock exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Bristol Rovers, they still hadn't managed to win the double.

1956/57

The Championship in 1955 had entitled United to play in a new competition named the European Cup. The competition had been dreamed up by the French Newspaper 'L'Equipe'. Chelsea had been invited the previous year but at the prompting of the Football League they had turned the chance down. United also heard serious argument from the football powers, but Manager Matt Busby stood defiant, even risking sanctions to accept the offer and to pave the way into Europe for the English. Busby as always was on the cutting edge of the game, he believed his young side were a match for the best in Europe, and was determined to prove his point. the Football league eventually backed down to him and United were in Europe!

At this time Old Trafford did not have floodlights, and it was our friends from across the City who once again came to our rescue. all United's home games in the European cup were to played at Maine road, the home of Manchester City. In the first tie they were drawn against Belgian Champions Anderlecht, who they disposed of 10-0. the next game they were drawn against the German team Borussia Dortmund, who they also disposed of to go on to meet the Spanish Champions Bilbao. Playing in Spain in the first leg the team slumped to its first defeat in the competition losing 5-2, on the return over 70,000 fans packed into Maine Road to watch them make a stunning comeback and defeat Bilbao 3-0 on goals from Taylor and Violett (2). By this time the accolades were pouring in, Jeff Mermans the Anderlecht captain called them 'Worldbeaters', and the Daily Herald's George Follows described the Bilbao game as "the greatest football match he had ever seen, the greatest football crowd he had ever heard, and the greatest centre forward display he had ever seen."

Everyone agreed, it had been Tommy Taylors Night!, the team had also been on a big bonus to win the tie, a whopping 3 pounds! United were through to the semi-final, and the Mighty Real Madrid. The Spanish team boasted World class stars like Alfredo Di stefano, Raymond Kopa, Puskas, Gento and the Russian keeper Yashin. On the first leg the youth of the United team showed and Madrid tore them apart before 125,000 Fans in Bernabeau Stadium 3-1. The Old Trafford floodlights had been installed in time for the second leg and the game was played before 65,000, but it was not to be United's day and they settled for a 2-2 draw and elimination from the competition. Interestingly United's late equaliser came from a young forward named Bobby Charlton.

In addition to the good European Cup run, things had being going well on the domestic front with United through to Wembley to face Aston Villa, having already clinched the League Championship by finishing 8 points ahead of Spurs. The team were odds on favourites to clinch the Double with a win against Villa, but with just six minutes gone Villa's flying winger Peter McParland recklessly charged United keeper Ray Wood, who had possession of the ball and was preparing to kick upfield. It was a particularity nasty foul, and it has been debated many times over the years why the ref allowed McParland to remain on the field. Woods cheekbone and been shattered, and the United team were down to 10 men,(No subs allowed )and Jackie Blanchfower donned the goalie shirt for the rest of the second half which finished 0-0. Woods made a brave effort to return to the goal in the second half, but the weakened United team succumbed to two goals from McParland and their dream of League and Cup double had been extinguished. The building of a team that was christened the `Busby Babes' around 1956 was completted, but actually started in the youth teams of 1952 and on. The United youth team won the FA youth cup from the years 1952 through to 1957.

1957/58 - MUNICH MEMORIAL

The 1957/1958 season commenced as one would expect given the wealth of talent now nicknamed the "Busby Babes". Although United had lost seven games by the time they were due to fly out to play their quarter final against Belgrade, they were still well on target for their 3rd successive league title.

The European campaign of 1957/1958 saw United dispose of Shamrock Rovers and Duckla Prague. The quarter final brought Red Star Belgrade to Old Trafford for the first leg. United won the first leg of the quarter final in front of 60,000 fans at Old Trafford, 2-0. The return leg in Belgrade gave United a hard fought 3-3 draw. Which meant that United was victorious with a 5-4 aggregate. On that dark fateful afternoon of february 6th 1958 the return trip to Manchester required a refueling stop at Munich Germany. The weather was bad for the take off, three attempts were required to get the BEA Elizabethan aircraft in the air. At the third attempt the G-ALZU-609 ploughed into some buildings at the end of the runway and burst into flames. In the mangled burning wreckage twenty three of the forty three passengers perished.

Matt Busby and Duncan Edwards were pulled alive from the inferno. Busby was critical and at one stage had the last rites administered, only his imense strength and courage coupled with the skill and dedication of the German Doctors pulled Busby through. Duncan Edwards hovered between life and death for 16 days before finally giving way to his maker. Matt Busby was not told of the death of his beloved Babes until he was safely away from death's door.

United had lost the cream of England soccer talent in one foul swoop. Roger Byrne (captain), left-back and Captain. Wonderful player and great man. He was everything that a 'hero' should be, modest, thoughtful, patient, helpful, and understanding, particularly of young boys pestering him for his autograph.

Duncan Edwards, he was twenty-one years of age when he died. He had played for the England international team at eighteen, which was a phenomenal achievement. His nickname was `The Tank' and anyone he tackled knew why.

Tommy Taylor, he came to United from Barnsley for a then record fee. He was a big man who always seemed to have a smile on his face. As a young boy I would go to the training ground in the holidays and Tommy was always laughing and joking with all the boys. He really was a tremendous man, as well as a brilliant footballer.

Bill Whelan, Geoff Bent, Eddie Coleman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, all great players and all perished at once. The administration was also decimated, Walter Crickmer, Tom Curry and Bert Whalley perished. Bert Whalley had taken the place of Jimmy Murphy, who was on international duty with Wales, on the flight. Eight journalists, including the famous ex-Manchester City goalkeeper FrankSwift, also lost their lives. Two crew members and two passengers perished alongside the Babes. Of the team that played against Red Star only Gregg and Foulkes were fit enough to take the field in the next emotion charged game. United with a team put together at the last minute beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 in the FA cup. In the program for that game United chairman Mr Hardman placed the following message:

Although we morn our dead and grieve for our wounded, we believe that great days are not done for us. The sympathy and encouragement of the football world and particularly of our supporters will justify and inspire us. The road back may be long and hard but with the memory of those who died at Munich, of their stirring achievements and wonderful sportsmanship ever with us, Manchester United will rise again.
United went on to face Bolton Wanderers in the cup final. Unfortuneatly United lost again after Nat Lofthouse had bundled Harry Gregg over the goal line. In the league competition United won only one of their last 14 games, drawing five. The mortaly wounded team finished 9th in the league. The next round of the European cup drew United to face Inter Milan. United, spirit high but strength sapped, lost over two legs 5-2 on aggregate. Of the squad of players know as the Busby Babes three won a European Cup winners medal at Wembley in 1968, ten years later. Charlton, Brennan and Foulkes were the three. If the disaster of Munich had not occured how many other Babes would have gathered medals for United in the following ten years? How many more silver cups would adorn the trophy cabinet at Old Trafford? Who can say, but in our hearts we all know it would have been many.

They shall not grow old
as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun,
and in the morning
We will remember them
we will remember them.

1958/59

The Munich tragedy was a big shock for United, they last matches of the season a whole new team had to be build. Jimmy Murphy moved quickly to sign Emie Taylor from Blackpool and Stan Crowther from Aston Villa. They, together with Bill Foulkes, Harry Gregg and a mixture of reserve and junior players made a patched-up side to complete the season's fixture. This season the team was still being rebuilt with Wilf McGuiness, Warren Bradley and Albert Quixall, a record 45,000 pond buy from Sheffield Wednesday, coming into the side. United did very well in the league, the finished 2nd and scored 103 goals, Bobby Chartlon hits 29 goals. In the FA Cup they reached the third round, but lost there.

1959/60

After the Munich air disaster United were struggling to put together a strong team. Albert Quixall had been bought in August 1958, but had failed to repeat his goal scoring feats attained at Sheffield Wednesday.

Maurice Setters was signed from West Brom to plug a leaky defence that had let in 54 goals in 25 games. These new players combined with the established team members, Charlton, Gregg, Foulkes, Dawson, Brennan, Giles, McGuinness, and Dennis Viollet. Viollet continued his goal scoring form to score a record 32 goals in only 36 appearances. Crowds of up to 65,000 attended Uniteds games even though success eluded them. United finished seventh in the league and were knocked out of the FA cup by Sheffield Wednesday in the 5th round.

1960/61

Busby strengthened the team with Cantwell from West Ham, Dunne from the Irish league and the home grown Stiles, and Gaskell, who for the next few years was to share the goal keeping responsibilities with Gregg. United had a similar unsuccessful year finishing once again seventh and only reaching the 3rd round of the FA cup. Although 61000 saw the local derby against Manchester City and 65000 the Spurs game, attendances were starting to drop. Highs of the year included a 6-0 Vs Chelsea and Burnley. A low of 0-6 against Leicester occurred, also a 2-7 drubbing from Sheffield Wednesdy in the FA cup. For the first time in their history Manchester United played in the league cup, but they were not very succesful, they lost in the second round.

1961/62

This season saw Herd recruited from Arsenal, having previously played locally for Stockport County with his Father. The defence was also strengthened with Chisnall making his debut. United finished a poor 15th in the league and eliminated from the FA cup in the semi final losing 1-3 to Spurs. Due to Uniteds poor form attendances again suffered a crowd of 57000 watched the Spurs game and 56000 the derby against Manchester City. David Herd became topscore of United, scoring 14 goals in his first season.

1962/63

1962 saw the recruiting of two new players who were to have a huge impact on United. Denis Law signed from Torino for 116,000 pond at the start of the season, Eric Cantona may be the `young pretender' but Denis is still the King, Denis was the penultimate piece in Matt's team-jigsaw. The arrival of Denis brought not just a great footballer but a showman and entertainer; he drew crowds all over the country. He was quite magnificent in every way. Pat Crerand moved from Glasgow Celtic the following February, he had a touch of silk. Immediately Paddy arrived the Lawman was transformed, transformed from brilliant to genius, and that was because of Pat. United having a bad year finished 19th just avoiding relegation. Their best league result was the 5-1 defeat of Notts forest. Better results in the FA cup saw United reach the final. An unforgettable game resulted in the underdogs, United beating the fancied Leicester City 3-1. Attendances in general were continuing to drop although United were attracting better gates away from Old Trafford, 69000 squeezed into Goodison for the Everton game. Only 49000 watched the Manchester City derby.

1963/64

The cup success drew the crowds back to old Trafford 63000 fans watched United thrash Everton 5-1, Ipswich receiving a 7-2 drubbing. A 6-1 defeat at Burnley was revenged with a 5-1 victory two days later. Uniteds new players included Sadler, Anderson, the ineffective Moore from Chelsea and the magical George Best, also John Connelly joined United from Burnley. The trio of Charlton, Law and Best ('holy trinity') were to become household names and lay fear and wonder into the hearts of opposition teams everywhere. The youth team won the FA Youth Cup again by beating Swindon Town 5-2 on aggregate.

1964/65

United further strengthened the their team with Fitzpatrick, Aston, and Dunne. Success came to Old Trafford in the form of Uniteds first league championship since 1957. The finish for the league title couldn't be more closer as United pip Leeds United on goal average. A cup run to the semis was also achieved. A play-off defeat by Ferencvaros deprives United a place in the Fairs Cup final. Uniteds success resulted in an increase in attendances crowds around the 55000 to 63000 mark were a regular feature at Old Trafford.

1965/66

Ryan and Noble, who had a promising future cut short were Uniteds new players this year. The crowds were once again flocking to watch United. United came a reasonable 4th in the league, and lost out to Everton in the FA cup semi final. The Charity Shield was shared with Liverpool after a 2-2 draw. United's return in the premier European competition ends in a 2-1 aggregate defeat by Yugoslavia's Partizan Belgrade.

1966/67

Alex Stepney arrived from Chelsea this helped to consolidate a position that had troubled United for a couple of years. The goal keeping duties had been shared by Gregg Gaskill and recently Dunne. Stepney now took the mantle of goalkeeper. High points of 5-0 against Sunderland, 6-1 west Ham, but a loss of 0-3 to Stoke saw United take out the league championship again. It was the seventh league title for United after finishing four points clear of Nottingham. A loss to giant killers Norwich ended Uniteds cup run in the 3rd round. In the League Cup they lost very disappointing in the second round. More than 60000 fans watched United on not less than eight occassions this year.

1967/68

Uniteds squad was strengthened further with the promotion of Burns, Gowling, Rimmer and the current assistant manager Brian Kidd. Attendance soared topping the 60000 mark in the league alone 12 times. 100000 mainly United fans watched their greatest ever moment , the 4-1 defeat of Benfica in the European cup final. United became the first English club to win the European Cup with their thrilling 4-1 win over Benfica at Wembley on 19th May. Bobby Charlton gave United the lead only for Graca to equalise and send the game into extra time. George Best restored United's lead and another goal from Charlotn and a header by Brian Kidd, celebrating his nineteenth birthday, seals a famous victory.

This was United's finest hour and Busbys dream. Matt Busby received a knighthood from the Queen in recognition of his services to football. The Charity Shield was shared again after a 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. The 2nd position in the league, after Manchester City, paled to nothing when United triumphed at Wembley. United lost 10 of their 42 league games and scored 89 goals, giving them a goal average of +34.

1968/69

Morgan, Sartori and James were Uniteds recruits this year although playing attractive football and attracting the crowds United seemed to wain after their triumph over Benfica. Finishing a poor 11th in the league and losing in the 6th round of the cup to Everton a loss in the semi final of the European cup completed a disapointing year for United.

Any hopes of retaining the European crown were shattered by AC Milan who triumph 2-1 on aggregate in the semi final. United also lost the World Cup Championship in a bitterly contested two-logged affair. Estudiantes of Argentina triumphed 2-1 on aggregate. Sir Matt Busby decided to give up control of the team and he became general manager. Wilf McGuinness took charge of the team.

1969/70

1969 saw Wilf McGuinness promoted to manager on Matt Busbys retirement. Ian Ure joined the team in a stop gap measure to strengthen the defence.

A chaotic year ended any chance United had of success. Best although leading goal scorer was at his worse behaviour. Charlton and other senior team members would not accept the authority of McGuinness. United finished a poor 8th in the league losing once again in the FA cup semi. So more semi final disappointment as United lost 1-0 to Leeds United after two replays, they also lost 4-3 on aggragate to Manchester City in the League Cup semi final. McGuinness eventually was relieved of his position in December 1970 when Matt Busby once again took control at Old Trafford.

1970/71

Matt Busby followed Wilf McGuiness as manager. The greatest manager of Manachester United ever took charge again and all the fans hoped that he would make a new super team and bring them prizes again. But Matt Busby couldn't bring anymore what he brought before, United finished only 8th in the league, with 16 wins, 11 draws and 15 defeats out of 42 matches. In that 42 matches United managed to only score 66 goals. In the FA Cup United was defeated in the third round and the League they reached the semi final, but when were knocked out.

1970/71

Matt Busby followed Wilf McGuiness as manager. The greatest manager of Manchester United took charge again and all the fans hoped that he would make a new super team and bring them prizes again. But Matt Busby couldn't rediscover the previous magic as United finished only 8th in the league, with 16 wins, 11 draws and 15 defeats out of 42 matches. In those 42 matches United managed to only score 66 goals. In the FA Cup United were defeated in the third round and where semi-finalists in the League Cup.

1971/72

Matt Busby resigned as manager, joining the board of directors. The next manager was Frank O'Farrell. But under O'Farrell United had another poor season. They finished 8th again in League, with 19 wins out of 42 matches, they scored almost the same amount of goals as last year, only 69 goals in 42 matches. In the FA Cup they reached the sixth round, but were eliminated by Stoke City. In the League Cup they reached the fourth round, but again Stoke City were the stronger team. O'Farrell signed Martin Buchan from Aberdeen and Ian Storey-Moore from Nottingham Forest for £200,000.

1972/73

This was yet another gloomy season for United, they started the season poorly and in December Frank O'Farrell was dismissed in favour of Tommy Docherty. Docherty was a man who was media friendly and spoke the same language as the fans on the terraces. He kept a poor team in the first division in his first season by buying a lot of new players. New arrivals included Ted MacDougall from Bournemouth, Wyn Davies from Manchester City, Alex Forsyth from Patrick Thistle, Jim Holton from Shrewsbury Town, George Graham from Arsenal and Lou Macari from Celtic. MacDougall however moved to West Ham United after just six months at the club.

At the beginning of the season both George Best and Bobby Charlton announced their retirements whilst Denis Law rejoined Manchester City. United finished a disappointing 18th place in the league with only 12 wins and 48 goals scored in 42 matches. In the FA Cup as well as the League Cup United reached the third round.

1973/74

What had threatened a season earlier eventually happened this season, United were relegated. For the first time in almost forty years United returned to division two. But the relegation proved beneficial in the long run, as it gave them the time needed to rebuild a new team. Docherty bought Paddy Roche from Shelbourne, Stewart Houston from Brentford and Jim McCalling from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The worst thing for the United supporters was that it was Denis Law for Manchester City who backheeled United into the lower division. 10,000 fans invaded the pitch with seven minutes remaining, hoping to get the match abandoned, but it didn't help. United was relegated and instead of meeting Liverpool, Leeds, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea among others, they now had to visit Oldham, York, Millwall, Bristol and Blackpool. United finished 21th with only ten wins and 38 goals scored. In the League Cup United reached only the second round and their FA Cup campaign ended in the fourth round.

1974/75

But United roared back in style after just one season in division two. They became the Champions with sixty one points and only seven defeats, but also only 66 goals scored in 42 matches. Docherty continued his rebuilding as he bought Stuart Pearson from Hull City and Steve Coppell from Tranmere Rovers.

In the League Cup United lost in the semi-final, but that didn't matter, as in the fourth round they had beaten Manchester City, always a bonus in those days. In the FA Cup they failed to progress beyong the third round.

1975/76

In their first season back in the top flight United finished third behind the dominant Liverpool. They lost 9 times and scored 68 goals and were back where they belonged, at the top of the table in division one. Gordon Hill moved to Old Trafford from Millwall. In the League Cup United lost in the fourth round. But in the FA Cup United reached the final where they met Southampton from the second division. Everybody in the country was convinced that this would be United's fourth FA Cup, but it turned out to be a massive upset. Southampton stunned United with a 1-0 win at Wembley. United would have to wait another year for their first trophy since winning the European Cup in 1968.

1976/77

This season United returned to Wembley and now they had to beat Liverpool to win the cup. United ended Liverpool's hopes of the treble (Championship, League Cup and FA Cup) by winning the FA Cup final 2-1. Pearson scored the opening goal for United and the second was a lucky strike from Jimmy Greenhoff, who signed for United at the start of the season from Stoke City. A month later, Docherty was sacked after it came to light that he was having an affair with the wife of the club's physiotherapist. United played some great football under the Doc and he brought Buchan, Hill, Coppell and other class players to United. Dave Sexton replaced him, but Sexton's era will not be remembered very fondly by most Reds as he failed to bring a trophy to Old Trafford.

In the UEFA Cup United were knocked out in the second round by Italian giants Juventus, the Italians winning 3-1 on aggregate ending United's European ambitions. The club's record transfer fee received was equalled when Gerry Daly moved to Derby County in April for £170,000.

1977/78

Following the FA Cup triumph of the previous season 1977/78 failed to deliver further success as United finished a disappointing 10th in the League with 16 wins, 10 draws and 16 defeats and scored 67 goals, their goal average was only +4. In the FA Cup they were beaten in the fourth round and in the League Cup they progressed only as far as the second round. In the European Cup Winners' Cup they won the first round and met FC Porto in the second. United's European dreams ended again with a 6-5 aggregate defeat. United did however share the Charity Shield with Liverpool after a 0:0 draw with Liverpool.

United set a new record transfer between British clubs by signing Gordon McQueen from Leeds United for £500,000. This followed the earlier move by Joe Jordan, also from Elland Road, for £350,000. A record fee was recieved from Derby County again for Gordon Hill, sold for 250,000 pond.

1978/79

United's centenary season got under way with a 4-0 win against Real Madrid, watched by almost 50,000 fans. But at the end of the campaign there was disappointment as United lost a sensational FA Cup final to Arsenal. With Arsenal leading 2-0 and less than 5 minutes remaining McQueen scored to give United hope and incredibly a minute later Sammy McIllroy pulled the scores level. But there was heartbreak for United as in the last minute Arsenal stole the winner to win the FA Cup.

In the league United ended again disappointed, finishing only 9th. In the League Cup they lost once again in the third round. Sexton signed Mickey Thomas from Wrexham for £300,000.

1979/80

The season began with United paying and receiving record club transfer fees. Ray Wilkins moved from Chelsea to Manchester for £825,000 and Jimmy Greenhoff went to Leeds United for 350,000. United came very close to winning the Championship this season, but Liverpool pipped them to the finishing line. United had to settle for second, despite only eight defeats in the league. In the FA Cup there was defeat in the third round and in the League Cup they were also knocked out in the third round.

1980/81

The European dream ended early in the new season as Polish side Widzew Lodz knocked United out of the UEFA cup on the away goals rule. In October the record transfer fees were smashed again, Garry Birtles arriving from Nottingham Forest for £1.25M and Brighton and Hove Albion paid £500,000 for Andy Ritchie. Following the previous season's escapades the United fans were dreaming of another Championship, but this time United failed to reproduce any Championship winning form and finished a very disappointing 8th. In the League Cup they didn't do much better as they lost in the second round while in the FA Cup they were eliminated in the fourth round. This disappointing season meant the end of the managerial spell of Dave Sexton at United, he was dismissed at the end of the season and succeeded by Ron Atkinson.

1981/82

Ron Atkinson followed Sexton into the hot seat and even though he brought the FA Cup to Old Trafford twice in three years he could not take United to the pinnacle. The League Championship was the measure of the best team in the nation and seeing Liverpool winning it year after year was having a demoralising effect on the great club that United was.

Sir Matt Busby had set the standard and it was proving a ball and chain around the necks of all his successors. An eventful summer preceeded the season as John Gidman signed from Everton and Frank Stapleton arrived from Arsenal. Mickey Thomas moved to Everton and Joe Jordan went overseas to AC Milan of Italy. A record deal totalling £2.4M brought Bryan Robson and Remi Moses to Old Trafford from West Bromwich Albion early in the season. Robson's pricetag of £1.5M clearly made him the most expensive player in Britain. 17-year-old Norman Whiteside became the youngest ever player to appear in the World Cup finals playing in all five of Northern Ireland's matches.

Although United bought a lot their season was largely unsuccessful. Defeat came early in the FA Cup and the League Cup. While in the League United finished the season in a respectable third place, but again a long way from the Championship.

1982/83

The following season United finished again near the top of the table, but yet again they were not able to make the last step to the summit and at the end of the season they finished third. United scored only 56 goals, what an average of only 1.3 goals per game. They did reach their first ever League Cup final however, but lost 2:1 at Wembley to Liverpool, Whiteside scoring the only goal for United. But the Reds returned to Wembley a few weeks later to play the FA Cup final against Brighton and Hove Albion. The first game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Stapleton and Wilkins scoring for United. In the replay Brighton and Hove Albion was blown away as United played superbly, winning the replay by a record scoreline of 4-0. Robson scored twice, Whiteside and penalty by Murhen. For the fifth time in their history United lifted the FA Cup.

1983/84

This season could again not bring United the continued success they desperately craved, finishing a respectable fourth, losing only eight games and scoring a total of 71 goals. United did lift the Charity Shield with a 2-0 win over Liverpool, Robson scoring again twice.

United were to enjoy more success in the European Cup Winners' Cup as they produced one of the most memorable European nights at Old Trafford, defeating Barcelona 3:0 after a 2:0 defeat in the first leg. Vi