Manchester United F.C.

Newton Heath LYR F.C., which would later become Manchester United, was founded by the carriage and wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LYR) depot at Newton Heath. Originally, the team played games against other departments and railway companies. Over time, the club grew in stature and became one of the early football clubs in England.

After being in financial troubles, Newton Heath LYR F.C. was saved by a group of local businessmen, including John Henry Davies, who invested £500 and took over the club. On April 24, 1902, the club was renamed Manchester United, marking the beginning of the modern club's history. This was a turning point for the club, setting it on a path to become one of the most famous football clubs in the world.

Old Trafford, the iconic home of Manchester United, opened on 19 February 1910. Designed by architect Archibald Leitch and costing £90,000, the stadium was built in Trafford, Greater Manchester. It has been the third largest stadium in England since its opening, celebrated for its architecture and capacity to host tens of thousands of fans.

In October 1945, Matt Busby was appointed as the manager of Manchester United. His management was revolutionary at the time, as he was given unprecedented control over the team. Busby led the club through some of its most successful periods, including the 1968 European Cup win, shaping the future and philosophy of the club.

On February 6, 1958, the airplane carrying the Manchester United team, nicknamed the 'Busby Babes', crashed in Munich-Riem Airport, Germany. The disaster claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight players. This tragedy deeply affected the club but also became a crucial part of its history, leading to the rebuilding of the team under the management of Sir Matt Busby.

Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup on May 29, 1968. They defeated Benfica 4-1 after extra time, an achievement that followed the Munich air disaster just a decade earlier. Managed by Sir Matt Busby, this victory was a historic milestone for the club and marked its rise in international football.

Taking part in the newly rebranded UEFA Champions League, Manchester United played their first match of the competition on November 26, 1992. This was a significant step for the club on the European stage. Under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson, United forged its reputation in the competition as one of Europe's elite clubs.

On 26 May 1999, Manchester United completed a historic treble by winning the UEFA Champions League, the FA Premier League, and the FA Cup in the same season, a feat that was unprecedented in English football. The Champions League final in Barcelona saw United score two goals in injury time to defeat Bayern Munich 2-1, a match remembered as one of the most dramatic in football history.

On 22 May 2003, American businessman Malcolm Glazer purchased his first shares in Manchester United, eventually leading to the full takeover of the club. This changed the landscape of the club significantly, marking the start of the Glazer family's controversial ownership, characterized by financial reorganization and protests from fans.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager in Manchester United's history, managed his last match on May 19, 2013. Under his management, the club won 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, and 2 UEFA Champions League titles. His retirement marked the end of an era, as his tenure of over 26 years profoundly shaped the club's modern history.