Founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club, the club was originally formed by railway workers before being renamed Manchester United in 1902. From those humble beginnings, the Red Devils would go on to become one of the most successful and recognizable sports clubs in the world.

United’s early successes came under Ernest Mangnall in the early 1900s, winning their first league title in 1908 and the FA Cup in 1909. However, it wasn’t until after World War II, under the legendary manager Sir Matt Busby, that Manchester United truly began to carve their name into football folklore. Busby rebuilt the club with a focus on nurturing young talent, giving rise to the famous “Busby Babes,” a youthful, vibrant team that played attractive, attacking football. Tragically, this bright era was marred by the Munich air disaster in 1958, which claimed the lives of eight players and left the club in mourning.

Despite this devastating loss, Busby rebuilt the team again, culminating in Manchester United becoming the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968, defeating Benfica in a glorious final. With legends like George Best, Bobby Charlton, and Denis Law, United had entered the elite of world football.

The 1980s saw United struggle for consistency until the arrival of Sir Alex Ferguson in 1986. Ferguson transformed the club, and his relentless drive to win resulted in United dominating English football in the 1990s and 2000s. His tenure saw the club win 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions League titles. The famous 1999 treble—winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in a single season—remains one of the club’s most legendary achievements. Since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Manchester United have been in a period of transition, struggling to reclaim their dominance.