Manchester United is the most successful club in English football, having won a record 19 league titles, a record 11 FA Cups and four League Cups. The club has also won three European Cups and has twice been club world champions: in 1999 and 2008.
Manchester United is one of the wealthiest and most widely supported football teams in the world. The club is said to be worth £1.13 billion, making it the world’s most valuable football club. After being floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1991, the club was purchased by Malcolm Glazer in May 2005 in a deal valuing the club at almost £800 million.
Even though the team is so wealthy, successful and famous it is not an easy task to win silverware. The selection of players is very important. Manchester United is known for “MAKING or CREATING” legends rather than just buying them from another club.
Many good players have come and gone, but Manchester United has shown the world that if the team has belief and confidence, it won’t hamper their performance even if the players who have left were the “MAIN MEN” of the team.
David Beckham
Beckham joined United in 1993. He spent 10 years with the Red Devils, and then left for Real Madrid, because he fell out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Many thought that after Beckham left, United would become weak. But no, they were wrong. United sold Beckham, and United moved on. The club was always important than the player and they did not let go off that saying down. Manchester United still managed to win trophies without Beckham.
Years after leaving the club, David Beckham did admit that it was a bad choice. He admitted that he regretted leaving the Red Devils and till date he loves Manchester United.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Ruud joined United in 2001. He spent 5 years with the Red Devils, and then left for Real Madrid. The reason why he left is still not clear, but apparently it was because of a rift with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Ruud was a very important player in the United roster as he was a prolific striker.
When he left, it was a big blow yet again for the Red Devils, but yet again, people thought United got weak, and they were proved wrong as the Devils moved on. United sold Ruud, but their hunger for glory did not die. Again, the club was more important than the player. Manchester United still managed to win trophies without their prolific RvN.
Ruud van Nistelrooy still talks about Manchester United with a smile on his face. Like Beckham, Ruud agreed that it was a rash decision to leave the Red Devils. And just like Beckham, he loves the club too.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo joined United in 2003. He spent 6 years with the Red Devils, and then left for Real Madrid. He was a player unknown to the world, until he was brought under the spotlight at Man United from Sporting in 2003. The reason why Ronaldo left was because it was his dream and desire to play for Real Madrid. His departure was one of the biggest losses in the club’s history. And yet again, people and pundits thought United won’t be that big a threat, and yet again they were wrong.
Ronaldo’s departure did leave a negative impact and he was clearly missed, but Manchester United’s hunger for glory went on. United sold Ronaldo and United moved on, they did not stop. The club was more important than the player, as always. Manchester United still managed to win trophies without Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not forget about the club that brought out his full potential. He still says that Sir Alex Ferguson is like a father to him, and he is still in contact with his former team mates. And in the end, there is also a chance that he might return to Old Trafford and play in that famous red and white again!
Call it luck or call it Sir Alex Ferguson’s magic, United managed to lay their hands on silverware every season, until he retired.
This success is all because of the never ending hard work from the manager, the coaching staff, the players and the never ending faith and belief of the true and loyal fans. No matter how bad the circumstances are, Manchester United always manage to find a breakthrough and solve every problem that comes in their way.
They are in a big problem since Sir Alex retired, but are slowly and surely inching closer to silverware.
United lost PRICELESS players in the Munich Air Tragedy in 1958, but they never bowed down. People said this was the end of Manchester United, but they were wrong. This club has literally risen from the ashes, just like a Phoenix thanks to the endless hard work of Jimmy Murphy, Sir Matt Busby, Sir Bobby Charlton and the endless support of the fans.
If the players are under pressure during a game, you’ll always here Old Trafford faithful roaring themselves hoarse just for cheering the reds on and helping them to relax and calm down.
Manchester United always faces every challenge head on. They never back down or give up. They never lose hope mainly because of their history in which they’ve come up with something in the dying moments which gave them glory.
United are going through a rough time. A transition phase during which the fans are seeing things they never thought they’d ever see. They see their team not winning trophies, losing in simple games, losing at Old Trafford and play “boring” possession football.
Yes, we never thought we would experience this one day, but I think everyone knows that this is just temporary. It won’t be long before that hunger for every trophy returns to Old Trafford and Manchester United, yet again, become an entertaining force to reckon with.
