5 greatest moments in Manchester United's history
Manchester United has established itself as a powerhouse of European football since its inception over a century ago. But “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, and so wasn’t Manchester United. The club was renamed after its present name by John Henry Davies along with three other businessmen who brought the (earlier called) Newton Heath LYR FC to life from its financial crisis and a winding-up order. From that moment on, the club has only been about glory and overcoming the lack of it.
The club has provided inspiration to those in dire need of one, and excitement to the football fraternity that craved for one; besides grooming countless players into superstars whose jerseys are worn by those who might not even understand a feather or a fig about football.
This club hasn’t only been about playing extraordinary football, winning trophies and making a name for themselves. But they have redefined ways of living with a philosophy that has so often metaphorically manifested in their gameplay. It is the same hated, adored but never ignored style of football which has left us mesmerised by many great moments.
We look at five of the greatest moments in Manchester United’s history in chronological order.
#1 The Busby Babes in the 1950s
The end of second World War didn’t just bring back peace, but naturally, resumption of activities like football. And along with it, came the introduction of Sir Matt Busby who would eventually shape not only Manchester United but also the future of British football in ways more than one. One of the bold changes brought about by the manager was playing a team bloodied with a bundle of youthful energy at the expense of experienced professionals.
The Busby Babes took English football by storm in the 1950s. Sir Matt Busby put his indefatigable assistant Jimmy Murphy to training youngsters in a parallel to his “iron-fist” model of football. Duncan Edwards, Sir Bobby Charlton were amongst those who made their debuts aged under 20 and in a team which won consecutive titles in 1955/56 and the following season.
It was the first time Manchester United defended their title and the moment could easily have been greater had the Munich tragedy not happened, as they were on course to win the 1958 title.