Manchester United F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Manchester United Football Club | |||
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| Short name | Man United Man Utd MUFC |
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| Founded |
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| Ground | Old Trafford | |||
| Capacity | 74,310 | |||
| Owner | Manchester United plc (71.06%) Ineos (28.94%) |
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| Co-chairmen | ||||
| Head coach | Ruben Amorim | |||
| League | Premier League | |||
| 2018–19 | Premier League, 6th of 20 | |||
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Manchester United Football Club, often called Man United or just United, is a famous professional football team. They are based in Old Trafford, England. The club plays in the Premier League, which is the top football league in England. Their nickname is "The Red Devils."
Manchester United started in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club. They changed their name to Manchester United in 1902. In 1910, the club moved to its current home, Old Trafford stadium.
United has won many trophies in England. They have won the top league title a record twenty times. They also have thirteen FA Cups and six League Cups. In international competitions, they have won the European Cup/UEFA Champions League three times. They have also won the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup once each.
A very important manager was Matt Busby, who joined in 1945. He built a young team called the Busby Babes. They won league titles in the 1950s. Sadly, eight players died in the Munich air disaster in 1958. Busby bravely rebuilt the team with stars like George Best, Denis Law, and Bobby Charlton. This famous trio was known as the United Trinity. They won the European Cup in 1968, becoming the first English club to do so.
After Busby, the club struggled for a while. Then, Alex Ferguson became manager in 1986. He became the club's most successful manager ever. He won 38 trophies, including 13 league titles and two Champions League titles, before retiring in 2013. In the 1998–99 season, Ferguson led the team to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. This amazing achievement is called the "treble". In 2016–17, under José Mourinho, they won the UEFA Europa League. This made them one of only five clubs to win the three main UEFA club competitions.
Manchester United is one of the most popular football clubs worldwide. They have big rivalries with Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Leeds United. The club is also one of the richest and most valuable sports teams in the world.
Club History
Early Days (1878–1945)
Manchester United started in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club. It was formed by railway workers. The team first played against other railway departments. Their first recorded match was in 1880, where they lost 6–0 to Bolton Wanderers' reserve team.
By 1888, the club helped start a regional football league called The Combination. After that league ended, Newton Heath joined the Football Alliance. In 1892, they joined the First Division of The Football League. Around this time, they became independent of the railway company. They dropped "LYR" from their name. After two seasons, the club was moved down to the Second Division.
In 1902, the club faced serious money problems. Captain Harry Stafford found four local businessmen to help. One of them, John Henry Davies, became club president. On April 24, 1902, they officially changed the name to Manchester United.
Under manager Ernest Mangnall, who joined in 1903, the team did well. They finished second in the Second Division in 1906. This earned them promotion to the First Division. They won their first league title in 1908. The next season, they won their first FA Cup title. Manchester United won the First Division again in 1911. Mangnall then left to join rivals Manchester City.
After World War I, the club was moved down to the Second Division in 1922. They went up and down between divisions for a while. In 1934, they reached their lowest ever position, 20th in the Second Division. The club faced financial trouble again. But in 1931, James W. Gibson invested money and took control. Before World War II, in the 1938–39 season, the club finished 14th in the First Division.
The Busby Years (1945–1969)
In October 1945, Matt Busby became the manager. He had a lot of control over the team. Busby led the team to finish second in the league three times. They also won the FA Cup in 1948. In 1952, the club won the First Division, their first league title in 41 years.
They won the league again in 1956 and 1957. This young team, with an average age of 22, was called "the Busby Babes". This showed Busby's trust in young players. In 1957, Manchester United became the first English team to play in the European Cup. They reached the semi-final, losing to Real Madrid. On the way, they beat Anderlecht 10–0, which is still the club's biggest win.
The next season, on February 6, 1958, a plane carrying the team crashed in Munich, Germany. This terrible event, the Munich air disaster, killed 23 people. Eight players died, including Duncan Edwards.
Assistant manager Jimmy Murphy took over while Busby recovered. The team reached the FA Cup final but lost. Busby rebuilt the team in the 1960s. He signed players like Denis Law and Pat Crerand. These players joined new young talents, including George Best. They won the FA Cup in 1963. They then won the league title in 1965 and 1967.
In 1968, Manchester United made history. They became the first English club to win the European Cup. They beat Benfica 4–1 in the final. This team had three players who had won the European Footballer of the Year award: Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, and George Best. Busby retired in 1969.
From 1969 to 1986
After Busby left, the club struggled. Wilf McGuinness and then Frank O'Farrell were managers. In December 1972, Tommy Docherty became manager. He saved them from being relegated that season. But in 1974, they were relegated. By then, Best, Law, and Charlton had left.
The team quickly won promotion back to the top league. They reached the FA Cup final in 1976 but lost. They reached the final again in 1977 and beat Liverpool 2–1. Docherty was fired soon after.
Dave Sexton took over in 1977. Despite signing big players, the team didn't win any trophies. They finished second in the league in 1979–80. Sexton was fired in 1981.
Ron Atkinson replaced Sexton. He signed Bryan Robson for a record fee. Under Atkinson, Manchester United won the FA Cup in 1983 and 1985. They also beat Liverpool to win the 1983 Charity Shield. In 1985–86, they started very well. But they finished fourth in the league. Atkinson was fired the next season.
The Ferguson Era (1986–2013)
Alex Ferguson became manager in 1986. He helped the club finish 11th in his first season. After a second-place finish in 1987–88, the team dropped to 11th again. Ferguson's job was saved by winning the 1990 FA Cup final.
The next season, Manchester United won their first UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. They also won the UEFA Super Cup by beating Red Star Belgrade. In 1992, they won the League Cup for the first time. In 1993, they won their first league title since 1967. This was in the first season of the new Premier League. A year later, they won the league and the FA Cup. This was their first "Double".
United became the first English club to win the Double twice. They won both competitions again in 1995–96. They then won the league title again in 1996–97.
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The 1998–99 season was historic. Manchester United became the first team to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League all in one season. This is known as "The Treble". In the 1999 UEFA Champions League final, they were losing 1–0. But Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær scored late goals. They won dramatically against Bayern Munich. Ferguson was made a "Sir" (knighted) for his achievements.
In November 1999, the club won the Intercontinental Cup. They beat Palmeiras 1–0 in Tokyo. This made them the only British team to win this trophy.
Manchester United won the league again in 1999–2000 and 2000–01. They were one of only four clubs to win the English title three times in a row. They won the 2003–04 FA Cup, beating Millwall 3–0. This was their record 11th FA Cup win.
In 2005–06, they didn't get past the group stage of the Champions League. But they finished second in the league. They also won the 2006 Football League Cup final. The club won the Premier League title in 2006–07. In 2007–08, they won the league and the Champions League. They beat Chelsea in a penalty shootout in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final. Ryan Giggs played his record 759th game for the club in that match.
In December 2008, United won the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup. They beat LDU Quito 1–0. They then won the 2008–09 Football League Cup and their third straight Premier League title. That summer, Cristiano Ronaldo was sold for a world record fee. In 2010, Manchester United won the League Cup again.
After finishing second in 2009–10, United won a record 19th league title in 2010–11. This was extended to 20 league titles in 2012–13.
Recent Years (2013–present)
On May 8, 2013, Alex Ferguson announced he would retire. He was the most successful manager in football history. The club then announced that David Moyes would replace him. Ten months later, Moyes was sacked after a difficult season. The club failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1996.
Ryan Giggs became interim player-manager. Then, Louis van Gaal was appointed manager in May 2014, with Giggs as his assistant. Under Van Gaal, United won a 12th FA Cup. But he was sacked two days after the cup final.
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José Mourinho became manager in May 2016. In his first season, he won the FA Community Shield, EFL Cup, and UEFA Europa League. Wayne Rooney became the club's all-time top scorer in January 2017. Mourinho was sacked in December 2018.
Former United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjær was appointed caretaker manager. He became permanent manager in March 2019. In April 2021, Manchester United announced they would join a new "European Super League". This caused a huge backlash from fans and others. The club withdrew from the plan two days later. Protests against the club's owners, the Glazer family, led to a match being postponed.
On the pitch, United had a record 9–0 win over Southampton in February 2021. But they lost the UEFA Europa League final on penalties. This meant four seasons without a trophy. Solskjær left in November 2021. Ralf Rangnick became interim manager.
In April 2022, Erik ten Hag was appointed manager. Under him, Manchester United won the 2022–23 EFL Cup in 2023. This ended their longest trophy drought since the 1970s. In March 2023, they lost 7–0 to Liverpool, their heaviest defeat. In the 2023–24 season, they finished eighth in the league, their lowest since 1990. However, they beat Manchester City 2–1 in the 2024 FA Cup final to win their 13th FA Cup. Erik ten Hag was sacked in October 2024. Ruben Amorim became the new head coach in November 2024.
Club Crest and Colours
The club's crest comes from the Manchester City Council coat of arms. The ship on the crest is from that. The devil comes from the club's nickname, "The Red Devils." This devil was added to the crest in 1970. In 2023, the Red Devil alone was used on the third kit. The main crest is still on the home and away kits.
Newton Heath's early uniform in 1879 was white with blue. Later, in 1892, they wore red-and-white shirts and navy blue shorts. Between 1894 and 1896, they wore green and gold.
After the name change in 1902, the club colours became red shirts, white shorts, and black socks. This is still the standard home kit. Sometimes, black shorts and white socks are worn with the home kit, especially for away games. The current home kit is a red shirt with Adidas' three stripes, white shorts, and black socks.
The away kit is often a white shirt, black shorts, and white socks. But there have been different ones, like an all-black kit or a navy blue shirt. An all-grey away kit in 1995–96 was quickly stopped. Players said they had trouble seeing each other in it.
The club's third kit is often all-blue. Other third kits have included green-and-gold, blue-and-white stripes, and all-black.
Club Grounds
Early Grounds (1878–1910)
Newton Heath first played on a field called North Road. It could hold about 12,000 people. In 1891, they bought two stands for 1,000 spectators each. The highest attendance there was about 15,000 in 1893.
In 1893, the club moved to the Bank Street ground in Clayton. It started with no stands. By 1894, two stands were built. In 1902, the ground was temporarily closed due to money problems. New club president John Henry Davies helped build a new stand. Within four years, the stadium could hold about 50,000 fans.
Old Trafford (1910–present)
After winning their first league title in 1908, the club decided Bank Street was too small. In 1909, Old Trafford was chosen as the new home. Land was bought for about £60,000. The stadium was designed to hold 77,000 people. The record attendance was 76,962 in 1939 for an FA Cup semi-final.
During World War II, much of the stadium was destroyed by bombs. While it was rebuilt, the team played at Manchester City's Maine Road ground. The club received money to help with repairs. Over time, roofs were added to the stands. These were later replaced with modern cantilever roofs that didn't block views. Floodlights were also installed.
After a report in 1993, Old Trafford became an all-seater stadium. This lowered its capacity to about 44,000. But then, the North Stand was rebuilt, increasing capacity to 55,000. Later, more seats were added to the East and West Stands, bringing capacity to 67,000. Between 2005 and 2006, 8,000 more seats were added. Old Trafford can now hold over 74,000 fans. It has one of the highest average attendances in Europe.
Future Stadium Plans
In 2021, the club's co-chairman mentioned plans to improve Old Trafford. In 2024, after Sir Jim Ratcliffe joined the ownership, plans for a new 100,000-capacity stadium near Old Trafford were discussed. The current Old Trafford might become home for the women's team and youth academy. Most fans surveyed prefer a new stadium. In March 2025, the club announced plans to build the new stadium.
Club Support
Manchester United is one of the most popular football clubs globally. They have many fan clubs around the world. The club goes on international tours to connect with its supporters. Experts estimate Manchester United has 75 million fans worldwide. The club also has a huge following on social media.
Fans have two main independent groups: the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association (IMUSA) and the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST). The West Stand at Old Trafford, called the "Stretford End", is where the most vocal fans sit.
Club Rivalries
Manchester United has major rivalries with Liverpool and local neighbours Manchester City. They also have rivalries with Arsenal and Leeds United.
Matches against Manchester City are called the Manchester derby. These are very important games in the city. This rivalry has grown stronger as both clubs compete for trophies.
The rivalry with Liverpool comes from the history between the two cities. Manchester was known for textiles, and Liverpool was a big port. These two clubs are the most successful in English football history. They have won many league titles and European cups. Games between them are considered the biggest in English football. No player has moved directly between the clubs since 1964.
The "Roses Rivalry" with Leeds comes from old wars between the regions. Manchester United represents Lancashire, and Leeds represents Yorkshire.
The rivalry with Arsenal grew from their many battles for the Premier League title. This was especially true when Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger were managers. Their matches are often exciting and important.
Global Brand and Sponsorship
Manchester United is seen as a global brand. In 2012, Forbes magazine called it the most valuable sports team brand. The club is also one of the highest-earning football clubs.
The club's strong global brand started with Matt Busby's team after the Munich air disaster. This team, with players like Bobby Charlton and George Best, played an exciting style of football. George Best became famous off the field too, like a "Fifth Beatle". This attention helped the club become even more popular.
The club has focused on business success. This has brought in a lot of money. The popularity of players like David Beckham also helped. His fame in Asia, for example, boosted the club's commercial success there.
Success on the field also brings more money from TV rights. Manchester United has always received a large share of TV money in the Premier League. They also have high commercial income from sponsors.
Sponsorship Deals
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor (chest) | Shirt sponsor (sleeve) |
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| 1945–1975 | Umbro | — | — |
| 1975–1980 | Admiral | ||
| 1980–1982 | Adidas | ||
| 1982–1992 | Sharp Electronics | ||
| 1992–2000 | Umbro | ||
| 2000–2002 | Vodafone | ||
| 2002–2006 | Nike | ||
| 2006–2010 | AIG | ||
| 2010–2014 | Aon | ||
| 2014–2015 | Chevrolet | ||
| 2015–2018 | Adidas | ||
| 2018–2021 | Kohler | ||
| 2021–2022 | TeamViewer | ||
| 2022–2024 | DXC Technology | ||
| 2024– | Snapdragon |
Sharp Electronics was the club's first shirt sponsor in 1982. This lasted until 2000. Then, Vodafone took over. In 2006, American insurance company AIG became the sponsor.
In 2010, Aon became the main shirt sponsor. In 2011, DHL became the first training kit sponsor in English football. Later, Aon also sponsored the training kit.
The club's first kit maker was Umbro. Then came Admiral Sportswear and Adidas. Umbro returned in 1992. Nike signed a big deal in 2002. Since 2015, Adidas has made Manchester United's kits in a huge 10-year deal. Kohler became the first sleeve sponsor in 2018. In 2021, TeamViewer became the main shirt sponsor. In 2024, Snapdragon took over as the main sponsor.
Club Ownership
The club was first funded by the railway company. In 1892, it became a company and sold shares. In 1902, four businessmen, including John Henry Davies, saved the club from bankruptcy. In 1931, James W. Gibson saved the club again by investing money.
In 1964, Louis Edwards gained control of the club. His son, Martin Edwards, became chairman in 1980. In 1991, Manchester United became a public company, selling shares on the stock market.
Glazer Family Ownership
In May 2005, Malcolm Glazer bought a controlling share of the club. This made the club private again. Much of the money for this purchase was borrowed. This debt was then transferred to the club. This caused protests from fans.
The Glazer family still owns most of the club. In 2012, some shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2023, the Glazers started looking for bids to sell the club. In December 2023, Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought 25% of Manchester United. His company, Ineos Sport, now manages the football side of the club. The Glazers remain the majority owners.
Players
Player of the Year Awards
| Team | First team | U21s | U18s | |
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| Award | Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year | Players' Player of the Year | Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year | Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year |
| Inaugurated | 1987–88 | 2005–06 | 1989–90 | 1989–90 |
| Holder (2024–25) |
 Bruno Fernandes |
Bruno Fernandes |
 Tyler Fredricson |
Harry Amass |
Coaching Staff
The current head coach of Manchester United is Ruben Amorim. He leads a team of coaches and staff. This includes assistant coaches, goalkeeping coaches, and medical staff. They all work together to help the players perform their best.
Managerial History
Manchester United has had many managers throughout its long history. Some of the most famous include Matt Busby, who rebuilt the team after the Munich air disaster, and Alex Ferguson, who led the club to incredible success for 27 years.
| Dates | Name | Notes |
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| 1945–1969 |  Matt Busby |
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| 1986–2013 | Alex Ferguson |
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| 2013–2014 | David Moyes |
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| 2014–2016 |  Louis van Gaal |
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| 2016–2018 | José Mourinho |
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| 2018–2021 |  Ole Gunnar Solskjær |
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| 2022–2024 | Erik ten Hag |
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| 2024– | Ruben Amorim |
Club Honours
Manchester United is one of the most successful football clubs in Europe. They have won many trophies. Their first trophy was the Manchester Cup in 1886. In 1908, they won their first league title. The next year, they won the FA Cup for the first time.
They have won a record 20 top-division titles, including 13 Premier League titles. Their 13 FA Cup wins are second only to Arsenal. They have also won the FA Community Shield a record 21 times.
Under Matt Busby, the club won the FA Cup in 1948. They became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968. They won five league titles and two FA Cups during his time.
The 1990s were the most successful decade under Alex Ferguson. They won five league titles, four FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League. They won the "Double" (Premier League and FA Cup) three times. In 1999, they achieved the "Treble" by winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
United also won the Intercontinental Cup in 1999. They are one of only three British clubs to win the FIFA Club World Cup, which they did in 2008. In 2017, they won the UEFA Europa League. This made them one of only five clubs to win the "European Treble" of main European club competitions.
The club's most recent trophy is the 2023–24 FA Cup.
| Type | Competition | Titles | Seasons |
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| Domestic | First Division/Premier League | 20s | 1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13 |
| Second Division | 2 | 1935–36, 1974–75 | |
| FA Cup | 13 | 1908–09, 1947–48, 1962–63, 1976–77, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2015–16, 2023–24 | |
| Football League Cup/EFL Cup | 6 | 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2016–17, 2022–23 | |
| FA Charity Shield/FA Community Shield | 21 | 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965*, 1967*, 1977*, 1983, 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 (* shared) | |
| Continental | European Cup/UEFA Champions League | 3 | 1967–68, 1998–99, 2007–08 |
| European Cup Winners' Cup | 1 | 1990–91 | |
| UEFA Europa League | 1 | 2016–17 | |
| UEFA Super Cup | 1 | 1991 | |
| Worldwide | FIFA Club World Cup | 1 | 2008 |
| Intercontinental Cup | 1 | 1999 |
- record
- s shared record
Doubles and Trebles
- Doubles
- League and FA Cup (3): 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99
- League and UEFA Champions League (2): 1998–99, 2007–08
- League and EFL Cup (1): 2008–09
- EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League (1): 2016–17
- Trebles
- League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League (1): 1998–99
Short competitions like the FA Community Shield or FIFA Club World Cup are not usually counted towards a Double or Treble.
Manchester United Women
Manchester United also has a women's football team. It was officially formed in 2018. They joined the second division of women's football in England. On May 12, 2024, the women's team won their first trophy. They lifted the 2023–24 Women's FA Cup by beating Tottenham Hotspur 4–0.
Images for kids
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A chart showing the progress of Manchester United through the English football league system, from joining as Newton Heath in 1892–93 to the present
