The Early Years: 1878-1899 Founded in 1878 as Newton Heath, a collection of railway workers from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railways. Turn professional in 1885 Join the football league in 1892 but endure 10 seasons of mediocrity, with only two years spent in the First Division. The 1900s Become Manchester United in 1902 and enter the top flight again in 1906. Win the championship in 1908, scoring league-record 82 goals. Billy Meredith is United's star player. Beat Bristol City, 1-0, to win F.A. Cup in 1909. 1910s Play last game at Bank Street ground in January 1910 and move into new stadium, Old Trafford on February 19. Win championship in 1911 but manager Ernest Magnall leaves to join cross-town Manchester City. United struggle both financially and on the field as the war leaves the team decimated and the new, costly stadium empty. 1920s When the war finishes the crowds return to Old Trafford but United are relegated. They win promotion in 1924 but spend the rest of the decade fighting relegation. 1930s The crowds dwindle again as United continues to struggle. Less than 10,000 become an average gate. By the end of 31, bankruptcy looms large but James Gibson saves the club with a donation of 2,000 pounds. Gibson becomes club president. Gain promotion in '35-'36 winning Division 2 but are relegated again the following season. Stability is hard to find. 1940s Matt Busby is named manager in 1945. Win the F.A. Cup in 1948, defeating Blackpool 3-2 in what is regarded as one of Wembley's great finals. Return to Old Trafford after almost eight years away after the ground was bombed during the war. During this time, United share Maine Road with Manchester United. 1950s United finish as runners-up in 1951 as Busby's Babes begin to take shape. United win the championship in '55, with Denis Violet scoring 20 goals. The Munich air crash in 1958 kills 28 including eight members of the Busby's young team. 1960s United enter a rebuilding phase as they try to recover from Munich. Bobby Charlton begins to shine and the club signs Denis Law. United win the F.A. Cup in 1963 to signal their intentions and a 17-year-old George Best makes his debut. Win the championship in '65 and cap off a remarkable decade with a place in the European Cup final. They beat Benfica 4-1 in extra time and just 10 years after Munich, United are European champions, the first English team to lift the trophy. George Best is named both Player of the Year and European Player of the Year. 1970s After a long-running feud with manager Tommy Docherty, George Best bids farewell to Old Trafford in January 1974. United are relegated in 1974 as Denis Law, who was released by Docherty, scores for Manchester City against United, sending them down to Division 2. They are promoted the following year but fail to make their mark and the Doc is sacked in, just two months after winning the F.A. Cup, and replaced by Dave Sexton. Sexton leads United to another F.A. Cup final in 1979 but is sacked in 1981. 1980s Ron Atkinson replaces Sexton. Despite success in the 1983 and 1985 F.A. Cup finals, Atkinson fails to deliver the league title, which United craves. Alex Ferguson is named manager in 1986 and has to survive a tough early period, with the club still desperate for the league crown. 1990s Ferguson wins the 1990 F.A. Cup final and the Cup Winners Cup the following season, sparking the outstanding run of recent years. Six premiership titles and five F.A. Cups are won domestically. 1998-99 sees United complete the treble as they win dramatically in Europe with two injury time goals. United create a nucleus of players who compare favorably with the game's very best as they complete a decade of dominance. The team's success is mirrored off the field as United become sports richest club. Each chapter will also contain box outs concentrating on key players of the decade. Also have extended box outs for the Busby Babes/Munich air disaster, the European campaign of 1968 and the '98-'99 treble year, providing greater detail for these important periods. Chronology of Manchester United Chronology of team's development Team and Player records
