18 Yard Box looks at the most successful club in the English League
With a new edition of the premier league drawing closer we, at 18 Yard Box take a look at some of the title contenders. In this article we introduce the defending champions and 20 time premier league winners Manchester United F.C.
With a new edition of the premier league drawing closer we, at 18 Yard Box take a look at some of the title contenders. In this article we introduce the defending champions and 20 time premier league winners Manchester United F.C.
With a change in guard at the top, Manchester United start
the new season with the relatively inexperienced David Moyes as their manager.
Without any marquee signings in this transfer window, a transition in
leadership and the retirement of another veteran player (Paul Scholes), United
head into the new season with challenges galore.
But United’s history is full of such challenges and subsequent rise to glory.
History
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| Evolution of Manchester United logo |
Manchester United was founded as Newton Heath LYR Football
club in 1878 Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire
Railway (LYR) depot at Newton
Heath. In 1902, the club was renamed Manchester United and the club
moved to the iconic Old Trafford stadium in 1910. Manchester United has won
almost all major trophies in England including a record 20 Premier League
titles, 11 FA cups and 19 Community Shields. The club has also won 3 European
cups, 1 UEFA cup winners’ cup, 1 UEFA supercup, 1 Intercontinental cup and 1
FIFA club world cup. Not only was United blessed with a decorated trophy
cabinet but also the best talent that England can offer. The Manchester United
Youth academy has produced legends like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes
and continues to do so as we speak.
Three Major Moments
1. Munich Tragedy
1. Munich Tragedy
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| A tribute to those who lost their lives |
One of the saddest day in Manchester United history is the
incident referred to as The Munich Air Disaster which occurred on 6th
February, 1958. A British European Airways flight carrying the Manchester
United team crashed while attempting to take off from the Munich-Reim airport
resulting in the death of 8 players from the Busby Babes. The team was
returning from Belgrade after a European cup match against Redstar Belgrade and
had stopped at Munich airport for refueling.
At the time of the disaster, the club were on a 11 game unbeaten run which saw them second in
the Premier League, fifth round of the FA cup and semi final of the European
cup. A potential treble winning season was dashed by this unfortunate incident.
2. The Ferguson Era
2. The Ferguson Era
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| A legacy which may go unmatched |
The period from 1986-2013 will always be part of United
folklore as the ‘Fergie Era’. The Scot from Aberdeen, Sir Alex Ferguson, took over the reins at United
from Ron Atkinson in 1986 and thus began a period of dominance by the Red
Devils. A strict disciplinarian, Sir Alex focused on improving fitness levels
and imposed upon United his style of play. Being a risk taker, he has not shied away
from playing youngsters, notorious players and acquiring players with
potential. Not a man to mince his words, the players and the press have
experienced the infamous ‘blow-dryer treatment’ meted out to under-performing
players. He has had his fair share of controversies and fall outs but nobody can
deny his contribution to Manchester United football club. His retirement as
manager of the club came as a shock to the entire football community. His
achievements may never be matched by anyone else for a long time to come.
3. (Un)Welcome the Glazers
3. (Un)Welcome the Glazers
 |
| United not for $ale |
After an unsuccessful takeover bid by BskyB Group, Manchester
United were taken over by American Billionaire Malcolm Glazer in 2005 for a
whopping 800m Pounds. This resulted in resentment among the United faithful as
the acquisition resulted in heavy debts for the club and compromised on
United’s ability to spend big in the transfer market. A group of wealthy
supporters formed the Red Knights group and submitted a billion dollar bid
for the club but failed to meet Glazer’s valuation of the club. The club’s supporters' distrust of their wealthy American owners continues till date with the odd
disputes and protests.
Three Major Players
1. George Best
1. George Best
 |
| Best doing what he does BEST |
There is a famous poem regarding the United legend which is often sung till date.
No article on Manchester United is complete without George Best. His stylish game and dribbling ability could only be matched by his good looks and popularity with the ladies. A naturally gifted player, Best was destined for great things at United and fully lived upto his potential by winning the Champions League in 1968 against Benefica where he scored a goal. Ably supported by legends like Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, George Best brought glory to united under legendary manger Sir Matt Busby. Despite his success on the pitch it was his battle with alcohol which brought about his downfall. The legendary Irishman died of multiple organ failure on 25th November,2005.
2. Eric Cantona
"Maradona was good Pele was better but George, he was simply
the BEST".
No article on Manchester United is complete without George Best. His stylish game and dribbling ability could only be matched by his good looks and popularity with the ladies. A naturally gifted player, Best was destined for great things at United and fully lived upto his potential by winning the Champions League in 1968 against Benefica where he scored a goal. Ably supported by legends like Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, George Best brought glory to united under legendary manger Sir Matt Busby. Despite his success on the pitch it was his battle with alcohol which brought about his downfall. The legendary Irishman died of multiple organ failure on 25th November,2005.
2. Eric Cantona
 |
| Vintage Cantona style |
1966 was the best year for England. England won the World Cup and Eric Cantona was born. Bought from rival club Leeds United for a measly
1.2m pounds in the 1992-93 season, the charismatic Frenchmen flourished during
his time at Old Trafford. The short hair, scraggly beard and up-collar Cantona
will always be remembered for his eccentric and attacking style of play. Nifty
passing, ability to get into attacking postions and a keen eye for goal made
Cantona a force to be reckoned with in the premier league. During his time at
United Cantona won the 4 premier league titles. However, his eccentricity and
passion got the best of him when he kicked a Crystal Palace fan in the stand
and was subsequently banned for 8 months. At the end of the 1996-97 season 'King' Eric announced his retirement from football.
3. Paul Scholes
3. Paul Scholes
 |
| A visionary |
A member of the class of 1992, Paul Scholes rose through the
ranks at Old Trafford to carve a place for himself in United’s history and
fans’ hearts. In stark contrast to players like Cantona Scholes is a shy, no-nonsense midfielder blessed
with ‘satellite navigation’ passing, long distan,ce shooting and ‘lousy but
innocent’ tackles. Starting out his career as an attacking midfielder, Paul
Scholes has constantly adapted his game to his age and the needs of his team. He moved from the hole
behind the striker to the holding role with ease and made himself
indispensable to Sir Alex Ferguson. Remaining the humble servant to United,
Paul Scholes returned from retirement to help out his team after a 6-1
demolition by Manchester City. In 2013, ‘Scholesy’, as he is admirably called, got back into retirement refusing a coaching role.
The Treble
 |
| United at the pinnacle of success |
Winning the
Champion’s League is a remarkable achievement for any club and a distant dream
for many but Manchester United is one of the few teams in World Football to
have won the Champions’ League, English Premier League and the F.A cup all in
the same year. The 1998-1999 season marked the pinnacle of United dominance of
not just English football but also European football. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, United achieved this feat with players like Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Roy Keane
(2 goals against Juventus in the semifinal), Ole Gunnar Solksjaer (injury time
winner against Bayern munich in the final), Jaap Stam(rock solid in the heart
of defence), David Beckham (goals from free kicks on demand), Ryan Giggs (amazing
solo goal against Arsenal in FA cup Semifinal) and legendary goalkeeper Peter
Schmiechel (team captain with decisive saves). It was the season that
established United’s presence among the big boys of European football.
Style of Play
 |
| The United 4-4-2 |
One of the characteristics of Manchester United has been
their traditional 4-4-2 formation. A flat backline with attacking full backs
while on the counter has been a regular feature of all United teams. United
have always had good wingers with the ability to weave past defenders with
trickery, guile, speed, power and deliver an inch perfect cross to the
forwards. The current United set up has wingers like Nani, Valencia, Ashley
Young and youngster Wilfred Zaha. The central midfield has a holding and an attacking
player. In recent times United have lacked creative players in the centre of
the park. The Manchester United frontmen over the years has seen players like
Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Robin
van Persie, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez. With reference to playing
style there is nothing common but their ability to score goals from attacking
positions and to link well with each other has been an asset to the club.
A club with a rich history and reputation moves into the new era under David Moyes. But will they live upto the supermassive expectations of their supporters and continue winning titles at will? Or will they falter and stagnate like certain other clubs?
The next season of the premier league can alone answer our questions.
Written by
Pranav Shenoy
Pranav is a contributor/writer at 18 Yard Box.
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