7 Surprising Facts About Manchester United That You Might Not Know
Think you know a lot about Man United? Here’s 7 facts about the club that you might now know.
1. A Missing Dog Saved The Club From Bankruptcy
United’s history might have been very different if it wasn’t for a lost dog called Major; Without him, Manchester United might not exist today.
In 1901, the club (called Newton Heath at the time) was sitting in the second division, facing financial ruin.
Captain Harry Stafford’s St. Bernard dog, Major, was the club’s mascot, and he went missing after a failed fundraising event. Major was found by John Henry Davies, a local businessman, who bought the dog off Stafford and learned of the club’s financial troubles.
Davies decided to invest, which eventually led to the rebranding as Manchester United in 1902.
2. The Club’s Name Was Almost Something Else
Many fans will already know that we used to play in green and yellow, under the name Newton Heath, before changing to Manchester United in 1902.
However, the club strongly considered several alternative names, including ‘Manchester Central’ and ‘Manchester Celtic’, before deciding on ‘Manchester United’.
When John Henry Davies, and a group of investors, saved the club in 1902, the board of directors met to discuss the club’s new name, with multiple options suggested – ‘Manchester United’ won the vote, obviously.
3. They Played Home Games At Man City’s Maine Road After WW2
During World War 2, on 11 March 1941, Old Trafford was bombed during a German air raid. It left the main stand, dressing rooms and offices destroyed.
Manchester City stepped in to help, and offered their ground, Maine Road, as a temporary home to United.
United reportedly set a league attendance record for Maine Road in 1948, when 83,260 watched us play Arsenal.
We played our home games there until 1949, before moving back into a rebuilt Old Trafford.
A bomb-damaged Old Trafford in 1948.
4. A Time Capsule Is Buried Between The Dugouts At Old Trafford
In 2010, to celebrate 100 years since Old Trafford was opened, the club buried a time capsule between the dugouts, and in front of the original players tunnel, which is no longer used, and is the only remaining component of the original stadium.
The capsule contains various memorabilia, and was buried with the intention of being opened in another 100 years time.
Relatives of Archibald Leitch, who was the original architect of Old Trafford, helped bury the time capsule.
5. Real Madrid And Liverpool Offered United Help Following The Munich Air Disaster
The Munich Air Disaster is the darkest day in Manchester United’s history. 8 players and 3 of the coaching staff were among the 23 fatalities in 1958, with many others seriously injured.
In United’s hour of need, both Real Madrid and Liverpool were among the clubs who offered their support.
Santiago Bernabeu (Real’s president) not only offered United the European cup, that Real had gone on to win (which United declined), but he also offered to loan us Ballon d’Or winner Alfredo di Stefano (paying half his wages), which was ultimately blocked by the FA.
Madrid also participated in fundraising events, including friendly games between the two clubs.
Bernabeu’s good relationship with Busby is partly the reason United share a longstanding bond with Madrid.
Bill Shankly and Liverpool also offered United players on loan; 5 first team players, and Shankly even offered to pay their wages in full.
6. Old Trafford’s Original Capacity Was Higher Than It Is Today
When Old Trafford opened in 1910, it was designed to hold a much larger crowd than it does today. Initially, the stadium could accommodate around 80,000 fans.
However, various renovations and modernisations over the years, aimed at improving safety and comfort, have reduced the capacity to a slightly lower number. Almost none of the original stadium remains in the modernised Old Trafford today.
7. Sir Matt Busby Played For Manchester City And Liverpool
It’s hard to comprehend that a man with a statue outside Old Trafford, and a huge legendary figure of Manchester United, played for our fierce rivals Man City and Liverpool, but it’s true with Sir Matt Busby.
Before the Busby Babe era at United, Sir Matt spent practically all of his playing career at City and Liverpool. He turned down the assistant manager job at Liverpool to take over as manager of United in 1945… thankfully.