10 Manchester United Facts

Rafa Benitez has been looking forward to this one. Here’s ten facts about Manchester United.

  1. Formed in 1878 at Newton Heath, they would change to their current name in 1902 after four investors saved the club from a winding up order and decided to rename the club to mark a new beginning.
  2. Their current home Old Trafford was damaged during World War two and not fully repaired until 1949. During this time they played at Maine Road, home of arch rivals Manchester City.
  3. They have been champions of England 20 times, 13 of these in the Premier league era all masterminded by Sir Alex Ferguson who has won more than twice as many league titles as any other manager in the history of English football.
  4. Five of their seven other titles were won by Matt Busby who was also the first manager to win the European Cup for an English club
  5. The Red Devils record goal scorer is Bobby Charlton with 249 strikes in all competitions. Wayne Rooney is 3rd on the all-time list and looks odds on to overtake him in the near future.
  6. Ryan Giggs is the most decorated player in the history of English football with a staggering 34 honours to his name. He is also their record appearance holder with 963 games under his belt.
  7. The legendary George best once hit six goals in a game against Northampton in the FA Cup in 1970 equalling Harold Halse who scored a double hat-trick for the club in 1909.
  8. The Red Devils are the only English club to win the League, FA Cup and European Cup in the same season. This was achieved in 1998/9.
  9. Busby Babe Kenny Morgans is one of a handful of players to represent both clubs. Others include Alan Davies, Alan Tate and Jimmy Rimmer.
  10. The Swans have won three of the last four meetings in all competitions, all by a 2-1 score line which included a first ever league double last term.