Manchester United is, without a doubt, one of the biggest clubs in the world. They’ve been incredibly successful on the pitch, which has led to global recognition off the pitch and one of the biggest brands in football. They’re a club with a deep and storied history, so if you’re looking to discover more about this great club, read on to find out five interesting facts about Manchester United.
A lost dog is the only reason the club still exists
Manchester United has grown into a multi-billion pound footballing brand, but it wasn’t always in such a strong position. In 1901, Manchester United, then called Newton Heath, was on the brink of financial ruin – and it ended up being saved as a consequence of a dog getting lost! The club’s captain Harry Stafford was out looking for his lost dog, eventually finding the dog in a pub. While in the pub, Stafford convinced the wealthy landlord to invest in the club, saving the team from economic collapse.
How “the red devils” came to be
Just as Manchester United weren’t always called Manchester United, they weren’t always called the Red Devils. They were originally called “The Heathens” after the club’s original name, Newton Heath, and the fact that they used to play on Sundays. However, Sir Matt Busby decided the club should be called the Red Devils, the same name as a rugby team from the University of Salford, as the teams both played with tenacity and had the same-coloured shirts.
Fergie time is real
Arguably Manchester United’s greatest-ever manager was Sir Alex Ferguson. One of the things that Ferguson was best known for was his man management. He would have every single United player giving it their all out on the pitch for the whole 90 minutes. The side’s never-say-die attitude became a hallmark of Ferguson’s team thanks to the large number of goals scored after the 90 minutes had ended. This became known as “Fergie Time.” United scored 81 goals in “Fergie Time,” so you never wanted to leave a United game early!
Most goals and wins in the Premier League
One of the most impressive things about Manchester United is their utter domination of the Premier League era. Despite falling off after Ferguson’s retirement, Manchester United still hold many impressive Premier League records. These include the most goals, the most wins, and the most points won in the Premier League. They also top the most important stat for any football team – the number of Premier League titles, with a staggering 13 out of 28 league wins.
Only English club to accomplish the Treble
Despite Manchester United’s long history, the jewel in their crown must be the 1999 season, when the club achieved an incredible treble of trophies. They won the FA Cup, the Premier League, and the Champions League in one season. They’re the only English club to have accomplished this feat and managed to secure the last piece of the Treble by winning the Champions League with two goals in “Fergie Time” to beat Bayern Munich 2-1.
Conclusion
They say that 1/10th of the world’s population is a Manchester United fan, such is their global reach. Football is becoming an increasingly global game, thanks to the success of TV deals and marketing, football-themed live casino games Ireland, and other forms of footballing media. It’s no secret that Manchester United have been a key part of growing the game around the world, and we’re sure that will continue in the future.
