History of Manchester United F.C. in Timeline

Manchester United is a professional football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. Founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR F.C., they became Manchester United in 1902. They play in the Premier League and are nicknamed the Red Devils. The club moved to their current stadium, Old Trafford, in 1910. Manchester United has won a joint-record twenty top-flight league titles, thirteen FA Cups, and six League Cups. Internationally, they've won the European Cup/UEFA Champions League three times, the UEFA Europa League, and other titles.

January 1902: Facing Winding-Up Order

In January 1902, facing debts of £2,670, Newton Heath was served with a winding-up order.

April 1902: Manchester United Officially Born

On 24 April 1902, after investment from local businessmen, Newton Heath was officially renamed Manchester United.

1902: Name change to Manchester United

In 1902, Newton Heath LYR Football Club officially changed its name to Manchester United.

1902: Ownership passed to local businessmen

In 1902, majority ownership of Manchester United passed to four local businessmen who invested £500 to save the club from bankruptcy, including future club president John Henry Davies.

1903: Ernest Mangnall Assumes Managerial Duties

In 1903, Ernest Mangnall took over as manager of Manchester United.

1906: Securing Promotion to the First Division

In 1906, Manchester United finished as Second Division runners-up, securing promotion to the First Division.

1908: Manchester United's First League Title

In 1908, Manchester United secured its first league title.

1908: First League Title

In 1908, Manchester United won its first league title.

February 1909: Old Trafford Named Home of Manchester United

In February 1909, six weeks before Manchester United's first FA Cup title, Old Trafford was designated as the club's new home after land was purchased for approximately £60,000.

1910: Move to Old Trafford

In 1910, Manchester United moved to their current stadium, Old Trafford.

1911: First Division Title

In 1911, Manchester United won the First Division for the second time.

1922: Relegation to the Second Division

In 1922, three years after football resumed following World War I, Manchester United was relegated to the Second Division.

1925: Promotion Back to the First Division

In 1925, Manchester United regained promotion to the First Division.

October 1927: Death of John Henry Davies

In October 1927, the death of principal benefactor John Henry Davies led to financial difficulties for Manchester United.

1927: Club faced bankruptcy again

After John Henry Davies' death in 1927, Manchester United faced bankruptcy yet again.

December 1931: James W. Gibson Invests in the Club

In December 1931, James W. Gibson invested £2,000 and assumed control of Manchester United, preventing bankruptcy.

December 1931: James W. Gibson Saves Club from Bankruptcy

In December 1931, James W. Gibson saved the club from bankruptcy after an investment of £2,000, assuming control of the club.

1934: All-Time Lowest Position

In 1934, Manchester United reached its all-time lowest position, placing 20th in the Second Division.

1937: Another Relegation and Duncan's Resignation

In 1937, another relegation led to manager Scott Duncan's resignation in November.

1938: Finished 14th in the First Division

In the 1938–39 season, the last year of football before the Second World War, the club finished 14th in the First Division.

March 1939: Record Attendance at Old Trafford

On 25 March 1939, Old Trafford recorded its highest attendance with 76,962 spectators for an FA Cup semi-final match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town.

October 1945: Matt Busby Appointed Manager

In October 1945, Matt Busby was appointed manager of Manchester United, demanding significant control over team affairs.

1945: Matt Busby Appointed Manager

In 1945, Matt Busby was appointed as the manager of Manchester United, beginning an era of success with a young team known as the Busby Babes.

1947: Second-Place League Finish

In 1947, Matt Busby led Manchester United to a second-place finish in the league.

1948: Gibson Promoted Son to Board

In 1948, James W. Gibson promoted his son, Alan, to the board of Manchester United.

1948: FA Cup Win

In 1948, Manchester United won the FA Cup under the management of Matt Busby.

1949: Second-Place League Finish

In 1949, Matt Busby led Manchester United to a second-place finish in the league.

1952: First Division Title

In 1952, Manchester United won the First Division, their first league title in 41 years.

1956: League Title

In 1956, Manchester United won another league title with a squad nicknamed "the Busby Babes".

March 1957: Erection of Floodlights at Old Trafford

On 25 March 1957, four 180-foot pylons, each housing 54 floodlights, were erected at Old Trafford at a cost of £40,000.

1957: European Cup Debut

In 1957, Manchester United became the first English team to compete in the European Cup, and recorded a 10–0 victory over Anderlecht.

1957: First Double in the Club's History since 1957

In 1994, Manchester United completed their first "Double" since 1957, winning both the league title and the FA Cup.

February 1958: Munich Air Disaster

On February 6, 1958, the Munich air disaster claimed 23 lives, including eight Manchester United players, after their plane crashed during takeoff in Munich.

1958: Murphy takes over as Manager

In 1958, assistant manager Jimmy Murphy took over as manager while Busby recovered from his injuries.

1963: FA Cup Victory

In 1963, Manchester United won the FA Cup after Busby had rebuilt the team.

January 1964: Louis Edwards Takes Control

In January 1964, Louis Edwards acquired a 54 per cent shareholding in Manchester United for approximately £40,000 and took control of the club.

1964: Last Player Transfer Between Manchester United and Liverpool

In 1964, the last player was transferred between Manchester United and Liverpool.

1965: League Title

In 1965, Manchester United won the league title.

1967: League Title

In 1967, Manchester United won the league title.

1967: First League Title Since 1967

In 1993, Manchester United won their first league title since 1967.

1968: European Cup Victory

In 1968, Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup, defeating Benfica 4–1 in the final.

1968: Manchester United Wins European Cup

In 1968, Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup.

1969: Busby Resigns

In 1969, Matt Busby resigned as manager of Manchester United.

1969: Eighth-Place Finish

In the 1969–70 season, Manchester United finished in eighth place.

1970: Eighth-Place Finish

In the 1969–70 season, Manchester United finished in eighth place.

January 1971: Lillian Gibson's Shares Passed to Alan Gibson

In January 1971, Lillian Gibson's shares in Manchester United passed to Alan Gibson after her death.

June 1971: Frank O'Farrell Appointed Manager

In June 1971, Frank O'Farrell was appointed as the manager of Manchester United.

December 1972: Tommy Docherty Appointed Manager

In December 1972, Tommy Docherty was appointed as the manager of Manchester United.

1974: Relegation

In 1974, Manchester United was relegated from the First Division.

1975: Deal with Admiral Sportswear

In 1975, Manchester United agreed a five-year kit deal with Admiral Sportswear.

1976: FA Cup Final Appearance

In 1976, Manchester United reached the FA Cup final but were defeated by Southampton.

1977: FA Cup Victory

In 1977, Manchester United won the FA Cup, defeating Liverpool 2–1.

1977: Dave Sexton Replaces Docherty as Manager

In the summer of 1977, Dave Sexton replaced Tommy Docherty as manager of Manchester United.

1978: Martin Edwards Acquired Shares

In 1978, Alan Gibson sold a percentage of his shares in Manchester United to Louis Edwards' son, Martin Edwards.

1979: FA Cup Final Appearance

In 1979, Manchester United lost to Arsenal in the FA Cup final.

1980: Adidas Wins Kit Contract

In 1980, Adidas won the contract to manufacture Manchester United's kit.

1980: Martin Edwards Becomes Chairman

In 1980, Martin Edwards became the chairman of Manchester United upon his father's death.

1981: Ron Atkinson Replaces Sexton as Manager

In 1981, Ron Atkinson replaced Dave Sexton as manager of Manchester United.

1982: Sharp Electronics Becomes First Shirt Sponsor

In 1982, Sharp Electronics became Manchester United's first shirt sponsor in an initial five-year deal worth £500,000, starting from the 1982–83 season.

1983: FA Cup Victory

In 1983, Manchester United won the FA Cup under manager Ron Atkinson.

1984: Robert Maxwell Attempted to Buy Club

In 1984, media tycoon Robert Maxwell attempted to buy Manchester United but did not meet Edwards' asking price.

1985: FA Cup Victory

In 1985, Manchester United won the FA Cup under Ron Atkinson.

November 1986: Alex Ferguson Arrives

On November 6, 1986, Alex Ferguson and his assistant Archie Knox arrived from Aberdeen to manage the club.

1986: Alex Ferguson appointed as Manager

In 1986, Alex Ferguson became the manager of Manchester United, marking the beginning of a long and highly successful period for the club.

1987: Dismantling of Floodlight Pylons

In 1987, the four 180-foot floodlight pylons were dismantled and replaced with a lighting system embedded in the roof of each stand.

1987: Second-Place Finish

In the 1987–88 season, Manchester United finished in second place in the league under Alex Ferguson.

1989: Founding Members

In 1989, Manchester United Supporters Club Ladies became founding members of the North West Women's Regional Football League.

1989: Sale to Knighton Fell Through

In 1989, chairman Martin Edwards attempted to sell Manchester United to Michael Knighton for £20 million, but the sale fell through and Knighton joined the board of directors instead.

1990: FA Cup Victory

In 1990, Alex Ferguson's job was saved by a victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.

June 1991: Manchester United Floated on Stock Market

In June 1991, Manchester United was floated on the stock market, raising £6.7 million.

1991: Manchester United Floats on London Stock Exchange

In 1991, Manchester United became the second English football club to float on the London Stock Exchange, raising capital for commercial strategy development.

1991: UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Title

In 1991, Manchester United claimed their first UEFA Cup Winners' Cup title and won the European Super Cup against Red Star Belgrade.

1991: Floated on the London Stock Exchange

In 1991, Manchester United was floated on the London Stock Exchange.

1992: League Cup Victory

In 1992, Manchester United won the League Cup for the first time.

1992: Umbro Starts Second Spell as Kit Manufacturer

In 1992, Umbro began a second spell as Manchester United's kit manufacturer.

1993: Premier League Title

In 1993, Manchester United won their first league title since 1967, in the first season of the newly founded Premier League.

1993: Completion of Cantilevered Roof on Stretford End

In 1993, the Stretford End received its cantilevered roof in time for the 1993-94 season.

1993: Reduced Capacity at Old Trafford Due to Taylor Report

In 1993, the implementation of the Taylor Report's requirement for an all-seater stadium reduced the capacity at Old Trafford to around 44,000.

1995: Redevelopment of the North Stand

In 1995, the North Stand at Old Trafford was redeveloped into three tiers, increasing the stadium's capacity to approximately 55,000.

1995: The "Double Double"

In 1995-96, Manchester United secured their second double (winning the Premier League and FA Cup in the same season), becoming the first club to do so twice, and earning the name the "Double Double".

1996: Second Double

In the 1995–96 season, United became the first English club to do the Double twice when they won both competitions again.

1998: Second Tiers Added to East and West Stands

At the end of the 1998–99 season, second tiers were added to the East and West Stands, increasing the capacity of Old Trafford to around 67,000.

1998: Takeover bid from Rupert Murdoch

In 1998, Manchester United received a takeover bid from Rupert Murdoch's British Sky Broadcasting Corporation, which led to the formation of Shareholders United Against Murdoch.

1998: Start of Treble Winning Season

In the 1998–99 season, Manchester United embarked on their historic treble-winning campaign.

April 1999: Murdoch Takeover Blocked

In April 1999, the Monopolies and Mergers Commission blocked Rupert Murdoch's British Sky Broadcasting Corporation's takeover bid for Manchester United.

November 1999: Intercontinental Cup Victory

In November 1999, Manchester United won the Intercontinental Cup, defeating Palmeiras 1–0 in Tokyo.

1999: Intercontinental Cup and Treble Win

In 1999, Manchester United became the sole British club to win the Intercontinental Cup, and the first English club to win the Treble.

1999: Vodafone Agrees Shirt Sponsorship Deal

In 1999, Vodafone agreed to a four-year, £30 million deal to become Manchester United's shirt sponsor, commencing at the end of the 1999–2000 season.

1999: The Treble

In the 1998–99 season, Manchester United became the first team to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in the same season. Ferguson received a knighthood for his services to football that summer.

2000: End of Sharp Electronics Sponsorship

At the end of the 1999-2000 season, Sharp Electronics' shirt sponsorship of Manchester United came to an end.

2001: Official Partnership

In 2001, Manchester United Supporters Club Ladies made an official partnership with Manchester United, becoming the club's official women's team.

2002: Partnership with Nike

In 2002, Manchester United began a key sponsorship relationship with Nike, who managed the club's merchandising operation as part of a £303 million 13-year partnership.

2002: Alex Ferguson on Knocking Liverpool off Their Perch

In 2002, former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson stated, "My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch".

2002: Marcos Win at the FIFA World Cup

In 2002, the Red Devils counted on an unexpected goalkeeper fail by future 2002 FIFA World Cup winner Marcos.

May 2005: Malcolm Glazer Purchases Controlling Stake

In May 2005, Malcolm Glazer purchased the 28.7 per cent stake held by McManus and Magnier in Manchester United, acquiring a controlling interest and valuing the club at approximately £800 million.

July 2005: Second Tiers Added to North-West and North-East Quadrants

In July 2005, construction began to add second tiers to the north-west and north-east quadrants, adding 8,000 seats.

2005: Formation of F.C. United of Manchester

Following the Glazer family's takeover of Manchester United in 2005, a group of fans formed a splinter club named F.C. United of Manchester.

2005: Club Taken Private by Malcolm Glazer

In 2005, Manchester United was taken private by American businessman Malcolm Glazer in a purchase valued at almost £800 million.

2005: Club Was Disbanded

In 2005, Manchester United's official women's team was disbanded following Malcolm Glazer's takeover.

2005: Commercial Income Comparison Among English Clubs

In 2005–06, Manchester United's commercial arm generated £51 million, compared to £42.5 million at Chelsea, £39.3 million at Liverpool, £34 million at Arsenal, and £27.9 million at Newcastle United.

March 2006: New Premier League Attendance Record Set

On 26 March 2006, a Premier League attendance record was set at Old Trafford with 69,070 spectators.

May 2006: Second Tiers Added to North-West and North-East Quadrants Completed

In May 2006, construction of second tiers in the north-west and north-east quadrants was completed, adding 8,000 seats.

July 2006: Debt Refinancing Package Announced

In July 2006, Manchester United announced a £660 million debt refinancing package, resulting in a 30 per cent reduction in annual interest payments.

September 2006: AIG Deal Becomes Most Valuable in the World

In September 2006, AIG's four-year £56.5 million deal with Manchester United became the most valuable in the world.

2006: Criticism over Lack of Old Trafford Development

In 2006, there was increasing criticism over the lack of development of the ground.

March 2007: Peak Attendance Record at Old Trafford

On 31 March 2007, a peak attendance record of 76,098 spectators was recorded at Old Trafford during the Manchester United vs. Blackburn Rovers game, with only 114 seats unoccupied.

June 2007: Club Debts Reached a High

In June 2007, the club's debts reached a high of £777 million.

2008: FIFA Club World Cup Win

In 2008, Manchester United won the FIFA Club World Cup.

2009: Seating Reorganisation at Old Trafford

In 2009, a reorganisation of seating at Old Trafford resulted in a capacity reduction of 255 seats, bringing the total to 75,957.

January 2010: Further Refinancing and Fan Protests

In January 2010, Manchester United further refinanced through a bond issue worth £504 million amidst fan protests against the club's debts of £716.5 million.

2010: Aon Becomes Principal Sponsor

At the beginning of the 2010–11 season, Aon became Manchester United's principal sponsor in a four-year deal reputed to be worth approximately £80 million.

August 2011: DHL Becomes First Training Kit Sponsor

In August 2011, Manchester United agreed to a four-year deal with DHL, reported to be worth £40 million, making them the first training kit sponsor in English football.

August 2011: Glazers Approach Credit Suisse for IPO

In August 2011, the Glazers approached Credit Suisse in preparation for a $1 billion IPO on the Singapore stock exchange, valuing the club at more than £2 billion.

2011: Brand Finance Report on Manchester United's Trademarks

In 2011, a Brand Finance report valued Manchester United's trademarks and associated intellectual property at £412 million.

July 2012: Manchester United Ranked Most Valuable Sports Team

In July 2012, Forbes magazine ranked Manchester United as the most valuable sports team brand, valuing it at $2.23 billion.

July 2012: Plans to List IPO on New York Stock Exchange

In July 2012, Manchester United announced plans to list its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange instead of the Singapore stock exchange.

July 2012: United Signed Deal with General Motors

In July 2012, Manchester United signed a seven-year deal with General Motors. This deal replaced Aon as the shirt sponsor from the 2014–15 season and featured the logo of General Motors brand Chevrolet.

October 2012: Manchester United Buys Back DHL Contract

In October 2012, Manchester United bought back the training kit sponsorship contract from DHL, although DHL remained the club's official logistics partner.

2012: Public Shares Offered

In 2012, Manchester United offered shares to the public with lesser voting rights compared to those retained by the Glazers, and only 10% of shares were offered initially.

2012: Debt Interest Estimated by The Guardian

In 2012, The Guardian estimated that Manchester United had paid over £500 million in debt interest and fees on behalf of the Glazers.

2012: Shares Listed on New York Stock Exchange

In 2012, some shares of Manchester United were listed on the New York Stock Exchange, though the Glazer family retained overall ownership.

2012: Manchester Derby - Trophy Competition

In 2012, the Manchester derby saw the two clubs fighting for trophies, such as the league title.

January 2013: Manchester United Valued at $3 Billion

In January 2013, Manchester United became the first sports team in the world to be valued at $3 billion by Forbes magazine.

April 2013: Aon Purchases Training Kit Sponsorship and Naming Rights

In April 2013, Aon purchased the training kit sponsorship for £180 million over eight years and acquired the naming rights for the Trafford Training Centre.

2013: Alex Ferguson Retirement

In 2013, Alex Ferguson retired as manager of Manchester United after a long and successful career, during which he won 38 trophies.

2013: Manchester Derby - Trophy Competition

In 2013, the Manchester derby saw the two clubs fighting for trophies, such as the league title.

2014: Study on Loudest Fans in the Premier League

A 2014 study revealed that Manchester United had the loudest fans in the Premier League.

2015: End of Partnership with Nike

In 2015, Manchester United's £303 million 13-year partnership with Nike concluded.

2015: End of Nike's Kit Deal

In 2015, Nike's record-breaking £302.9 million kit deal with Manchester United came to an end.

2016: Highest-Earning Football Club

For 2016–17, Manchester United was the highest-earning football club in the world, with an annual revenue of €676.3 million.

2016: UEFA Europa League Victory

In 2016-17, Manchester United secured the UEFA Europa League title.

2016: Europa League Win Under Mourinho

In the 2016–17 season, Manchester United, under José Mourinho, won the UEFA Europa League, becoming one of five clubs to have won all three original main UEFA club competitions.

June 2017: Manchester United Returns to Top of Forbes List

In June 2017, Manchester United returned to the top of the Forbes list of most valuable sports teams, with a valuation of $3.689 billion.

2017: UEFA Europa League Victory

In 2017, Manchester United secured the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League title by defeating Ajax in the final.

2018: New Women's Football Team Formed

In 2018, Manchester United formed a new women's football team, which entered the second division of women's football in England for their debut season.

2019: Glazers Retain Ultimate Control

As of 2019, the Glazers retain ultimate control over Manchester United, with over 70% of shares and even higher voting power.

2019: Net Debt and Total Fees Reported

In 2019, it was reported that Manchester United's total sum paid for debt interest and fees had risen to £1 billion, with a net debt of nearly £400 million.

2021: Early-Stage Planning for Old Trafford Redevelopment

In 2021, Joel Glazer, co-chairman of Manchester United, announced that "early-stage planning work" was underway for the redevelopment of Old Trafford, addressing the increasing criticism over the lack of development since 2006.

March 2023: Thomas Zilliacus Publicly Showed Interest

In March 2023, Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus made his interest in Manchester United public, joining other bidders for the sale of the club.

July 2023: Manchester United's Facebook Following

As of July 2023, Manchester United had over 82 million Facebook followers.

December 2023: Ratcliffe Purchases Stake

On 24 December 2023, it was announced that Ratcliffe had purchased 25 per cent of Manchester United, and that his Ineos Sport company was taking control of football operations.

2023: FA Cup Win

Manchester United won the 2023–24 FA Cup.

2023: Consecutive FA Cup Finals

Matches between Manchester United and Manchester City are known as the Manchester derby, and it is considered one of the biggest local derbies, particularly after City's rise to prominence and two consecutive FA Cup finals in 2023 and 2024.

May 2024: Women's FA Cup Victory

On 12 May 2024, Manchester United's women's football team won their first trophy as they lifted the Women's FA Cup, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4–0.

August 2024: Snapdragon Extends Sponsorship Deal

In August 2024, Snapdragon's parent company Qualcomm triggered an option to extend the deal with Manchester United by two years, taking it through to 2029.

November 2024: Fan Preference for New Stadium Build Revealed

In November 2024, it was revealed that the majority of fans surveyed favored the construction of a new stadium over the redevelopment of the existing Old Trafford.

December 2024: Ratcliffe's Shareholding Increased

In December 2024, Ratcliffe's shareholdings in Manchester United increased to 28.94%, though the Glazers remain as majority shareholders.

2024: Second-Most-Valuable Football Club

In 2024, Manchester United was valued as the world's second-most-valuable football club, with a valuation of £6.55 billion ($5.22 billion).

2024: Consecutive FA Cup Finals

March 2025: Manchester United Launches Supporters' Clubs

In March 2025, Manchester United officially launched their first Jewish supporters’ club and welcomed the "Stretford Sikhs", a non-geographic official supporters' club for Sikhs.

March 2025: Manchester United Retains Foster and Partners

On 11 March 2025, Manchester United announced the retention of Foster and Partners to construct a new 100,000-capacity stadium adjacent to Old Trafford, with fan consultation on key aspects of the build.

April 2025: Trophy Count Update Between Manchester United and Liverpool

As of April 2025, Liverpool lead in terms of number of trophies won with 69 to Manchester United’s 68, while Manchester United leads in the head-to-head record between the two teams with 83 wins to Liverpool's 72.