Calling all fans of the Red Devils! Find out all you need to know about the historic football team with these fun facts about Manchester United.
Everyone knows that Manchester United is one of the most famous and successful sports teams in the world.
In a 2021 study, it was discovered that Manchester United fans exceeded 1 billion. That’s 1 in 8 people around the world! How crazy is that?
Manchester United’s success can be attributed to their rich history, iconic players, strong management, and passionate fan base. And we’re about to dive deep into the history of Man U.
These fun facts about Manchester United will spotlight the key managers, players and events in the club’s history, and also some lesser-known facts that will surely surprise you.
From the cute devil mascot, the bombing of Old Trafford, and the team’s most popular player – there are so many facts about Man Utd that we want to cover today.
Do you know who’s scored the most goals? Or who scored in 10 consecutive games? How about the record for most appearances? Look no further for the most incredible stats and records.
We’ll also throw in a few not-so-great Manchester United facts including their recent 7-0 drubbing by Liverpool FC which has been deemed one of the team’s most embarrassing moments.
So what do you say? Are you ready to support the Reds and find out even more about the worl’’s most popular football club?
Let’s discover what makes Manchester United one of the greatest football teams ever!
Contents:
21 Fun Facts About Manchester United
1. A few basic Manchester United facts
Manchester United are one of the most successful football clubs in the world with 20 English League (now called Premier League) titles, 12 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 3 European Champions Cups and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
However, Manchester United is in a bit of a slump, not having won the Premier League since 2012-2013.
2. The creation of Manchester United
Manchester United was originally called Newton Heath LYR Football Club until it changed its name in 1902.
Their highest attended game in their first season as the newly minted team was a Christmas Day battle with Manchester City that saw 40,000 fans witness a 1-1 draw. And that was all the way back in 1902!
3. The legendary Manchester United manager
Manager Matt Busby is credited for turning around the fortunes of Manchester United, leading the team to success they’d never seen before.
Under Busby’s leadership from 1945-1969, and 1970-71, Manchester United became an English football powerhouse. Under the management of Sir Matt Busby, Manchester United won a total of 13 trophies. These include five league titles, two FA Cups, five Charity Shields, and one European Cup.
Busby is also known for coaching Great Britain to gold at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
4. What is the home stadium for Manchester United?
Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams, is the second biggest football stadium in England with a capacity of 74,310. Construction finished in 1909 and the first Manchester United game at the stadium was a loss to bitter rival Liverpool FC.
Old Trafford was bombed in World War II and had to be rebuilt from 1941-1949.
5. Who played the most for Manchester United?
Looking for impressive Manchester United records? Look no further than Ryan Giggs who appeared in an astonishing 963 games for the club from 1991 to 2014.
The Welsh midfielder is the most decorated player in the history of English football. His winning goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup Semi in 1999 is one of the greatest Manchester United goals of all-time.
6. Before Manchester United was Manchester United
Newton Heath LYR Football Club was formed by the Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.
The team would play opponents from other train and rail companies until the founding of The Combination, a more organized regional football league.
7. Manchester United’s biggest English title
The 1999-2000 Manchester United season is one of the most successful in Premier League history. They topped the standings by 18 points, with a +52 goal differential and 97 goals scored.
Second place Arsenal couldn’t hold a candle to the Red Devils that season and had to settle for runners-up.
8. How did Manchester United win the FIFA Club World Cup?
The FIFA Club World Cup is one of the most interesting championships on the football calendar where all the champs from the premier clubs worldwide compete for the ultimate prize.
Manchester United became the first British Club to win the championship by beating LDU Quito in Yokohama Japan in 2008 by a score of 1-0.
9. Manchester United’s hometown rivalry
Manchester City and Manchester United have one of the biggest rivalries in all of football. The two teams have played an incredible 190 times. So far, Manchester United has got the better of their rival with a 78(W) – 59(D) – 53(L) record.
10. Manchester United’s most heated rivalry
However, when it comes to the most heated rivalry for Manchester United, look no further than Liverpool FC.
Sir Alex Ferguson always listed Liverpool as the main antagonist to his Red Devils. The rivalry is called the Northwest Derby and currently stands at 82(W) – 71(D) – 58(L) in favor of Manchester United.
11. Manchester United’s biggest disaster
The Munich air disaster is the most tragic day in Manchester United’s history. On February 6th, 1958 British European Airways Flight 609 crashed after takeoff in Munich, West Germany. 20 people died in the crash, including 8 players for Manchester United.
12. Who is Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer?
Wayne Rooney has the most goals for Manchester United with 253. Sir Bobby Charlton sits in second with 249 goals and Denis Law is third with 237.
Law also holds the record for the most hat tricks with 18 and most goals in a season with 46 in 1963-64.
13. Why are Manchester United called the Red Devils?
After the Munich Air disaster, Matt Busby renamed the team from the Busby Babes to the Red Devils.
The painful memories were too much to continue with the Babes nickname, so he co-opted the Red Devils name from a local rugby club, Salford. Busby liked the intimidation factor of the name and also the connection to Manchester United’s previous nickname, the Heathens.
14. The famous Sir of Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in Manchester United’s history. He has led the Red Devils to 38 trophies including two Champions League titles.
He is also Manchester United’s longest serving manager heading up the club from 1986-2013.
15. The mascot for Manchester United
You’d think the Red Devils mascot would be a menacing Satan-figure meant to intimidate the opposing team.
However, Fred the Red, Manchester United’s mascot since 1994, is rather friendly and cute looking with tiny horns.
16. Who is the highest paid player on Manchester United?
On the current 2023 roster for Manchester United, David De Gea is the highest paid player. De Gea signed a 6-year £117 million deal with the team in 2019.
His contract is up in 2024 when he’ll become a free agent. Do you think De Gea will stay with the team?
17. Who scored the most consecutive goals for Manchester United?
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is considered one of the greatest strikers of all-time, had an amazing run of games from March 22nd 2003 to August 23rd 2003 where he scored goals in 10 consecutive games. This may be a record that’s never topped!
18. The most bitter defeat of Manchester United
In 2023 Manchester United suffered one of their most embarrassing losses of all time – a 7-0 drubbing by Liverpool FC.
The humiliating loss was named as the most embarrassing moment of the 2023 Premier League season. However, Manchester United had the last laugh finishing ahead of Liverpool in the final standings.
19. How much is Manchester United worth?
According to Forbes, Manchester United is the #2 most valuable football team at an astronomical value of $6 billion.
The majority owners of the club, the Glazer family, are actually trying to sell the team for $6.5 billion. Is now the time to buy?
20. Who owns Manchester United?
The potential sale of Manchester United by the Glazers would be a huge profit maker. In 2005, Malcolm Glazer bought the team for measly $800 million.
There have been a few offers for the team, but since the valuation of the team has skyrocketed and is more popular than ever, it seems the Glazers are playing hardball.
21. Who is the most popular player in Manchester United history?
Bleacher Report released their ranking of the most popular Red Devils ever and David Beckham topped the list.
Beckham made 394 appearances and scored 94 goals for Manchester United in his career that spanned from 1992 to 2003.
Who wants more fun facts?
If you’re looking for some recommendations, these are a few of our favorite fact books to buy. We use these when planning fun trivia nights with family and friends!
We really hope you enjoyed all our fun facts about Manchester United! Did you learn something new?
If there’s any Manchester United facts we missed, you can let us know in the comments below and we’ll add them to this article!
