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Manchester united started life in 1878 as Newton Heath. They first became a professional team in 1885, joining the football alliance after they where refused entry into the football league. In 1892 the football alliance merged with the football league and Newton heath went into the first division in the new two division competition.
In 1901 on the verge of bankruptcy a fund-raising fair was held in aid of Newton Heath. A St Bernard dog was sent around the fair with a collection box on its collar. The dog was found by a wealthy business man who eventually injected a large amount of money into the club to keep them in existence. It was due to this business man that Manchester United was born in 1902.
United's first game brought them a 1-0 victory over Gainsborough Trinity and the use of the now famous Red strip. United was gaining in popularity. During the 1907/08 season United became a public company, obtained the services of Billy Meredith, and won their first league title.
In 1910 united moved into their present home Old Trafford. The move brought even more people to the games. The years prior to WW1 were success full for United, however the years between the two wars saw United drifting between the 1st and 2nd division and they avoided relegation to the 3rd by one point in 1934.
After the war came the appointment of Matt Busby, who was an ex Liverpool and Man City player, things started to improve for United, under Busby coupled with the United youth policy and the cheque book United won the league championship five times and the F.A cup twice, also coming second nine times in those competitions.
United became the first British team to enter European competitions in 1956/7. This unfortunately led to the Munich air crash of February 1958. This was possibly the most tragic loss of sporting talent ever. A total loss of 8 players, three managerial staff, and newspaper reporters, these losses included one of Europe's best ever young footballer Duncan Edwards this one event took Manchester United to the hearts of the entire world.
After the Munich disaster it took United until 1963 to win any silver ware, where they won an F.A cup final victory over Leicester city. This was then the start of brilliant years for United. The famous trio of Best Law and Charlton helped United to two league championships, an F.A cup victory and the ultimate prize the European Cup winners victory over Benfica.
When matt Busby retired in 1971 United went through various managers, non achieving the success that United fans expected. Tommy Docherty was probably their most popular until the present manager Alex Ferguson. The 70s and 80 brought limited success in the form of a second division championship and F.A cup victories. The year United won the second Division championship saw them also top the attendance figure beating all the first division clubs.
Alex Ferguson was appointed United's manager in 1986. After a slow start he has led them to the enviable position of being the best team in Britain by far. Winning the Premiership title F.A cup numerous times including the F.A and League double three times, a feat done by no other club. Also the European Cup winners Cup Final. With the skill of Alex and his team, and the business acumen of the United management, United have become the most valuable football club in Europe, and possibly the most supported. They failed to win their Holy grail By losing in the European Champions semi finals against Dortmund. Then a further blow was the retirement of the magical Eric Cantona. Many wondered if United could win the European Championship without Cantona, however united moved on fron this loss by winning the treble (Premiership, F A Cup , and the European champions league) in the 1998/1999 season, they then went on to pull out of the next seasons F A Cup, but still keeping the hope of retaining the Premiership, and the Champions league in 1999/2000.
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