Manchester United FC is an English football club from the city of Manchester.  Founded in 1878 by railway workers as Newton Heath L&YR F.C ., (the suffix stood for Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway) Manchester United would go on to become is one of English football’s most successful clubs. The club played on a modest pitch on North Road until 1893 when they moved to Bank Street, where they would play until 1910. The change in stadium also accompanied a change in name, as they dropped the "L&YR" from their name, becoming Newton Heath F.C.  By this time when they were on the brink of bankruptcy; however, wealthy brewery owner John Henry Davies saved the club from extinction. During this period two signifcant changes were made: the club  adopted its current name, Manchester United, and changed its colours from green and gold to the now familiar red and white attire.  In 1908, under manager Ernest Mangnall, the club won its first league title, having been promoted to England's top flight two seasons previously. With players  of the calabour of Billy Meredith,  the club followed this success in the 1908-09 campaign by winning the first ever Charity Shield, and more importantly, the FA Cup.  In 1910 Manchester United moved from its Bank Street stadium to Old Trafford to accommodate its growing support. The club won the league again in the 1910-11 season; however, following this early success the club declined and would fail to win another First Division title for more than 40 years. In addition, the club suffered multiple relegations and struggled even to maintain top flight status.  

In 1945, Matt Busby was appointed manager and he would become usher in a golden age.  His very modern style of management led to an improvement in United’s fortunes as the club finished runners-up in the league in 1947, 1948 and 1949. Mancester United  won the FA Cup in 1948, before finally securing the First Division title in 1952. Over the following few seasons, Busby rebuilt the side by bringing youth through into the first team, and the rewards were seen in 1956, as a side averaging only 22 years old won the First Division title.  The young players who made up the core of this successful team came to be known as the "Busby Babes," and they followed their success in 1956 with another league title the following season. Eight members of this great team, including Duncan Edwards , Roger Byrne and Tommy Taylor were killed the following year in the Munich Air Disaster.   Busby once again had to rebuild, and it wasn't until 1963 that the club won a trophy, the FA Cup defeating Leicester City in the final. In 1965 and 1967, Manchester United secured the title and in 1968 became the first English side to win the European Cup, beating Benfica in the final. The Busby era ended in 1969, and the club’s fortunes declined for a time ending in relegation in 1974.  A swift return to the First Division and FA Cup wins in 1977, 1983 and 1985 did not bring about a consitent title challenge as bitter rivals Liverpool were the dominant force in English football. 

The appointment of manager Alex Ferguson as manager in 1986 would see Manchester United re-emerge as the dominate force in English football although it would take seven years to win the title. It was only victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup reply in 1990 that saved Ferguson's career. This was followed by victory over Barcelona in the 1991 European Cup Winners Cup followed by the UEFA European Super Cup. 1992 saw United win its first League Cup and the title was finally secured in the 1992-93 season.  It began a period of domestic domination with title wins in the1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-2009, 2010-11  and 2012-13 campaigns. Ferguson also led United to FA Cup glory in 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1999. In 1999, Ferguson enjoyed his best year, as United won the treble, winning the Premier League, the Champions' League, and the FA Cup. The 2007-08 season marked another famous double, as United won the Champions' League in addition to the Premier League title.  Having won his eleventh league title in 2013 Sir Alex Ferguson retired to be replaced by a succession of managers who failed to replicate his success . Louis van Gaal won the 2015-16 FA Cup Final,  but this was not enough to keep him his job and he was replaced by Jose Mourinho. During his first season in charge Manchester United won 3–2 over Southampton in the 2016-17 League Cup Final at Wembley and the following season won the Europa League.  He was sacked on 18 December 2018 after the team won just seven of their opening 17 matches of the 2018–19 season. Former club forward Ole Gunnar Solskjær was his replacement but he was gone by November 2021. On 21 April 2022, Erik ten Hag was announced as the new full-time manager. On 26 February 2023, he successfully brought United to their first competitive trophy in nearly six years as they won the League Cup final against Newcastle United.