Manchester United … The Best of E-Book

Rob Mason

• Herausgeber: G2 Rights
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

Manchester United is acknowledged as the biggest club in the world with the largest number of fans, one of the best known stadiums in Old Trafford, and a roster of legendary players that includes four of the greatest of all time in George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and Cristiano Ronaldo. It also had the greatest British manager of all time in Sir Alex Ferguson whose tally of 38 trophies included 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns. This fully-illustrated A to Z includes all the great players from Duncan Edwards and the Busby Babes through to Ryan Giggs, the club's longest serving player, and Wayne Rooney, the all-time leading scorer and the only player to have scored 253 goals for the Reds. The book also recalls the tragedy of the Munich air disaster in which 23 people lost their lives including eight first team players and the triumphs of the club's first European Cup win at Wembley in 1968 and the Treble of 1999 in which they won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions' League.

Leseprobe

Contents

A

Aston

Atkinson

B

Beckham

Berbatov

Best

Brown

Bruce

Buchan

Busby

Busby Babes

Byrne

C

Cantona

Carey

Carrick

Champions League

Charity Shield

Charlton

Coppell

Crerand

D

De Gea

Derbies

Docherty

Double

E

Edwards

European Cup

European Cup Winners’ Cup

European Footballer of the Year

Evra

F

FA Cup

Famous Fans

FA Premiership

Ferdinand

Ferguson

Foulkes

G

Giggs

Greatest XI

Greenhoff

Gregg

H

Herd

Honours

Hughes

I

Ibrahimovic

Ince

Irwin

J

Jones

Jordan

K

Kanchelskis

Keane

Kidd

Kits

L

Law

League Championship

League Cup

League Positions

League Title

M

Managers

Mata

McGuinness

McIlroy

Meredith

Mitten

Mourinho

Munich Air Disaster

N

Neville

Newton Heath

Nicknames

O

Old Trafford

One Hundred Club

P

Pallister

Pegg

Player of the Year

Pogba

Q

Quixall

R

Rashford

Roberts

Robson

Ronaldo

Rooney

Rowley

S

Schmeichel

Scholes

Solskjaer

Stam

Stepney

Stiles

Stretford End

Supporters’ Club

T

Taylor

Three Hundred Club

Treble

U

UEFA Cup / Europa League

Upsets

V

Van der Sar

Van Nistelrooy

Van Persie

Vidic

Viollet

W

Welbeck

Whelan

Whiteside

World Club Championship

X

X-Tra Time

Y

Young

Youth Team

Z

Zero

Aston:

John Aston Senior and John Aston Junior

John Aston, Senior

Born 23 September 1921, John Aston Senior began his Manchester United career on 18 September 1946 when he made his League debut against Chelsea at inside-forward. Matt Busby switched Aston’s position to full-back, not only changing the number on his back, but also bringing out the best of his talent. Aston blossomed as a full-back bringing his expertise in pace and accuracy to a defensive position which he utilised to the full when he faced Stanley Matthews in the 1948 FA Cup Final.

During the difficult 1950-51 season, the versatile Aston was moved forward on several occasions giving him the opportunity to score 15 goals. He won 17 England caps before injury cut his career short. He then returned to Old Trafford as a youth team coach and, in 1970, became chief scout for the club, a position he held for two years.

John Aston in a heading duel with Adolfo of Benfica in the European Cup Final at Wembley, 29 May 1968

John Aston Jr in action

He remained closely associated with the team and watched his son, John Aston Junior, also make his name at Old Trafford.

Born the year after his father’s debut on 28 June 1947, John Junior settled well at Old Trafford, turning professional in 1964. Not as glamorous as Best or Law, Aston Junior was often given a hard time by the home crowd who thought he lacked imagination, but he was nippy and direct, and he remained a loyal and committed player. Matt Busby was impressed and recognised his contribution to the team and he was a member of the 1967 Championship-winning side.

It was in the 1968 European Cup Final where Aston really shone. It became the pinnacle of his career as he repeatedly managed to pass Benfica’s Adolfo on the left wing. He lost his first-team place after breaking his leg and was transferred to Luton Town for £30,000 in 1972.

Atkinson

Ron Atkinson’s first league job was as manager of Cambridge United in 1974. He had already gained experience with non-League clubs Witney Town and Kettering Town and went on to succeed Dave Sexton at Old Trafford in June 1981 after proving his worth with First Division West Bromwich Albion for three consecutive seasons.

Although United never finished lower than fourth in the League while he was at the helm, the Championship went to his home town, Liverpool, five seasons in a row. However, he won the FA Cup twice, claiming victory over Brighton in 1983 and Everton in 1985 with United setting a club record of ten consecutive League victories at the start of the 1985-86 season.

Renowned for spending large amounts on players, Atkinson only once paid more than £1 million for a player and that was for Bryan Robson who would be a loyal servant. The following season poor form cost Atkinson his job at Old Trafford and he returned to West Brom before moving to Atletico Madrid. He also managed Sheffield Wednesday twice as well as Aston Villa and Coventry City. His successor at Old Trafford was a certain Alex Ferguson, who joined the club on 6 November 1986.

Ron Atkinson attends a press conference

Beckham

David Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 and signed professionally for United in 1992 after joining as a trainee in 1991. He had come to United’s attention after winning a Bobby Charlton skills competition at the age of 11. He made his first-team debut in September 1992 – coming on as a substitute at Brighton – but he had to wait a further two years for another chance and he made the most of it by scoring against Galatasaray in the European Cup.

He gained a regular place in midfield during 1995-96, scoring eight goals during 32 appearances and collecting an FA Cup winner’s medal. The opening game against Wimbledon the following season was to mark the start of the David Beckham phenomenon when he scored from 57 yards in the dying minutes of the game.

Beckham made the transition from promising youngster to England’s main creative force in just one season, making his debut under Glen Hoddle in September 1996 in Moldova. He enjoyed a momentous season and collected a second Championship medal and was voted the PFA’s Young Player of the Year. Despite immense interest in his relationship with Victoria Adams (Posh Spice), Beckham continued to impress on the field, becoming United’s top scorer during the 1997-98 season. But the World Cup in 1998 saw Beckham sent off after retaliation against an Argentinian player in a second-round match and many blamed him for England losing the game.

He returned from the World Cup to vitriolic abuse, but quickly knuckled down and proved wrong all those who thought his career in English football was over. He went on to captain the England side four years later and, despite going out in the quarterfinals to Brazil, the team returned home as heroes. Beckham enjoyed further success at Old Trafford including the 1998-99 Treble before his departure to Real Madrid in June 2003.

Beckham celebrates to the crowd after scoring a goal during the Premiership match against Everton, August 1997

Beckham scores the opening goal during the league match between Villa and United at Villa Park, 2003

After winning La Liga in his final season with the club he joined LA Galaxy in 2007, where he would help win the MSL Cup in 2011. His time in America also saw him have two loan spells with AC Milan, helping maintain the levels of fitness required to take him to 115 caps for his country, a record for an outfield player. Having been instrumental in helping London win the 2012 Olympic Games David was widely expected to be a member of the Team GB squad but was controversially omitted at the last stage.

Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov is a classy centre-forward, pairing the ability to ruthlessly find the net inside the box with magical touches outside of it.

Berbatov started out at Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia where his talent quickly attracted the attention of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen who made their move for the front man in January 2001. Although he was national team captain and Bulgarian Player of the Year in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007, he made a slow start to his time in Germany albeit regularly shining in the Champions League.

He was eventually lured to the Premier League when Tottenham signed him in July 2006 for a reported £10.9 million fee. He was an instant hit at White Hart Lane scoring his first competitive goal two minutes into his home League debut against Sheffield United. He went on to score 23 goals in his opening season, which he matched again in 2007-08.

After months of speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford in the summer of 2008, Sir Alex Ferguson finally got his man on transfer deadline day with just minutes to go. Berbatov signed a four-year contract on 1 September 2008 for an undisclosed fee, with Fraizer Campbell heading to White Hart Lane on a season-long loan as part of the deal.

His tally of 48 goals in 108 League appearances helped United win two Premier Leagues, with Dimitar also picking up a winners medal in the Carling Cup in 2010. He also played in the 2009 Champions League final defeat against Barcelona and was omitted from the squad when the club reached the final again against the Spanish giants in 2011. Lack of first team football prompted a move to Fulham in August 2012.

Fabricio Coloccini of Newcastle United is unable to stop Dimitar Berbatov scoring

Best

On 16 August 1961, George Best signed as an apprentice for United and went on to become one of the most prolific professionals of all time. The ‘Belfast Boy’, born on 22 May 1946, went on to sign professionally in May 1963, making his League debut against West Bromwich Albion in September, but remained in the reserves until December that year when he scored in a 5-1 victory. He kept his place on the team and went on to play 466 League, Cup and European games, scoring 178 goals.

Although Best won 37 caps for Northern Ireland – he made his debut in April 1964 – he never actually played in the finals of a major tournament. Not only did he make a name for himself with his goalscoring, Best was renowned for taking on his opponents which was exciting for his fans. Women, particularly, took a shine to Best and football’s popularity during the 1960s blossomed alongside his cult status. Best was also gifted at making space for his teammates, notably Bobby Charlton and Denis Law.

Nicknamed ‘El Beatle’ by the Portuguese after a European Cup match against Benfica in 1966, Best had become football’s answer to the Liverpudlian pop idols with his entertaining football and rebel lifestyle. United won the Championship in 1967 and during the following season he enjoyed his greatest success, scoring 28 League goals and inspiring the team to become the first English club to win the European Cup. 1968 saw Best given the titles of Player of the Year, in both England and Northern Ireland, and European Footballer of the Year.

George Best against Fulham, 1971

Two seasons later, however, Best was involved in a number of clashes with referees, United started to go downhill, and late nights fuelled with alcohol added to the slippery slope. Matt Busby’s retirement in 1969 seemed to mark the end for George Best. He was fined £100 and received a month’s suspension for knocking the ball from the hands of a referee during a League Cup semi-final against Manchester City, During the 1968-69 season. His performance both on and off the pitch was becoming erratic, but he always remained a difficult opponent. At the end of the 1970 season he was sent off while playing for Northern Ireland for spitting and throwing mud at the referee.

Despite being the top United scorer in May 1971 with 18 goals, his relationship with the management team at United was suffering. In 1972, after failing to turn up to training, manager Frank O’Farrell dropped him, fined him two weeks’ wages, gave him extra training and ordered him to return to digs. He then failed to report for Northern Ireland and in May 1972 he announced his retirement while in Spain. He did return but only scored four goals in 1972-73.

George Best played his last game for United on 1 January 1974 aged 27. He went on to play for a variety of clubs in England, Scotland and America but never again reached his outstanding form. He died in November 2005, aged 59, losing his battle with illnesses linked to alcoholism, and his death was mourned worldwide.

George in action during the Division One match against Everton played at Old Trafford, in 1968

Brown

Wes Brown, born 13 October 1979, signed for United in November 1996 and despite injury setbacks, including a broken ankle, was set to become the team’s strongest defender for many years. In his first full season his performances for the reserves and juniors – winning a Lancashire FA Youth Cup winner’s medal and a Lancashire League Division One medal as well as the Denzil Haroun Young Player of the Year award – earned Brown his place on the first team, making his debut against Leeds in May 1998.

He is a solid, reliable defender who cemented his regular place when deputising for the injured Denis Irwin at full-back. His established international career at Under-18 and Under-21 levels ensured Brown a step up to the England team during the 1998-99 season, when he received his first cap under Kevin Keegan playing against Hungary in Budapest. Knee ligament injuries during 1999-2000 and his broken ankle at the end of the 2002-03 season were devastating for Brown, but he returned to full fitness and regained his place in the first team and earned himself an England recall.

Following the arrival of Vidic who struck up an understanding with Ferdinand, Wes Brown found opportunities limited, although he slotted in at right back when Gary Neville was side-lined with a long term injury during the 2007-08 season. Wes joined Sunderland in 2011, having made 232 League appearances for United.

Wes Brown celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Liverpool, March 2008

Bruce

Steve Bruce is one of only 33 players to have appeared in more than 300 League games for United – he played a total of 410 times for the club. Bruce was born 31 December 1960 and began his career with Gillingham, having signed professionally for them in October 1978. The general consensus was that although he was committed, he lacked genuine talent – this turned out not to be true, as his illustrious career shows.

He was renowned for his determination and leadership which became an essential part of the most successful era in United’s history. Bruce signed for United in December 1987 after a successful career at Norwich City who he joined in July 1984 on his departure from Priestfield. His grit and determination turned out to be just the qualities that United were looking for and he became their most reliable defender.

He had a seven-year partnership with Gary Pallister, whose pace and ball control complemented his own organisational skills. For a while, he was the club’s penalty taker, which helped increase his scoring rate and in his eight and a half seasons he scored 51 times. He also scored the highest ever total for a defender during a single season in 1990-91 with 19 goals.

In 1992, Bruce took over the captaincy from Bryan Robson and in his four years as captain he lifted three Premiership trophies, the FA Cup and the League Cup, including the Double in 1993-94 and 1995-96. Bruce never got a full England call-up and left for Birmingham City (who he later managed) on a free transfer in 1996. He has also managed Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Wigan, Sunderland, Hull, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle United.

Bruce in action during a Premiership match against West Ham United at Upton Park, May 1995

Buchan

Another defender that made an impression at United, although earlier than Steve Bruce, was Martin Buchan, born 6 March 1949. After a successful career at Aberdeen, where he had been made captain aged 20, he led the team to a Scottish Cup victory. In 1971, he made his debut for Scotland – he went on to win 34 caps – and was voted Scottish Player of the Year.

Aberdeen decided to sell their young captain and Buchan chose United over the more successful Liverpool and Leeds clubs of the time. Frank O’Farrell paid £135,000 for Buchan who wasted no time in justifying the fee. Six months later, Tommy Docherty took over as manager, but despite relegation in 1974, once Buchan took over as captain of the team, United bounced back by winning the Second Division Championship in 1975. Then, in 1976, United reached the FA Cup Final but were bitterly disappointed when Southampton won by a single goal.

The following year saw United back in the Final with Liverpool. Despite the opposing side boasting Kevin Keegan, United won a memorable 2-1 victory. Buchan was the first post-war player to captain both a Scottish and an English Cup-winning side. Persistent injuries led him to hang up his boots in 1983, and he now works for the Professional Footballers Association in Manchester.