Club History: Tragedy to Triumph 1958 - 1970

1958 - 1959: Rebuilding from the ashes of Munich

1959 - 1960: Slow rebuildling process continues
After the Munich air disaster United were struggling to put together a strong team. Albert Quixall had been bought in August 1958, but had failed to repeat his goal scoring feats attained at Sheffield Wednesday.

Maurice Setters was signed from West Brom to plug a leaky defence that had let in 54 goals in 25 games. These new players combined with the established team members, Charlton, Gregg, Foulkes, Dawson, Brennan, Giles, McGuinness, and Dennis Viollet. Viollet continued his goal scoring form to score a record 32 goals in only 36 appearances. Crowds of up to 65,000 attended United's games even though success eluded them. United finished seventh in the league and were knocked out of the FA cup by Sheffield Wednesday in the 5th round.

1960 - 1961: Mid-table mediocrity
Busby strengthened the team with Cantwell from West Ham, Dunne from the Irish league and the home grown Stiles, and Gaskell, who for the next few years was to share the goal keeping responsibilities with Gregg.

United had another unsuccessful year finishing once again seventh and only reaching the 3rd round of the FA cup. Although 61,000 saw the local derby against Manchester City and 65,000 the Spurs game, attendances were starting to drop. Highs of the year included a 6-0 vs Chelsea and Burnley. A low of 0-6 against Leicester occurred, also a 2-7 drubbing from Sheffield Wednesdy in the FA cup. For the first time in their history Manchester United played in the league cup, but they were not very succesful, they lost in the second round.

1961 - 1962: Attendances start to wane
This season saw Herd recruited from Arsenal, having previously played locally for Stockport County with his Father. The defence was also strengthened with Chisnall making his debut. United finished a poor 15th in the league and eliminated from the FA cup in the semi final losing 1-3 to Spurs.

Due to United's poor form attendances again suffered a crowd of 57,000 watched the Spurs game and 56,000 the derby against Manchester City. David Herd became topscorer for United, scoring 14 goals in his first season.

1962 - 1963: Law and Crerand arrive
1962 saw the recruiting of two new players who were to have a huge impact on United. Denis Law signed from Torino for 116,000 pond at the start of the season, Eric Cantona may be the `young pretender' but Denis is still the King. Denis was the penultimate piece in Matt's team-jigsaw.

The arrival of Denis brought not just a great footballer but a showman and entertainer; he drew crowds all over the country. He was quite magnificent in every way.

Pat Crerand moved from Glasgow Celtic the following February, he had a touch of silk. Immediately after Paddy arrived, the Lawman was transformed from brilliant to genius and that was because of Pat.

United ended up having a bad year, finishing 19th and just avoiding relegation. Their best league result was the 5-1 defeat of Notts Forest. Better results in the FA cup saw United reach the final.

An unforgettable game resulted in the underdogs, United beating the fancied Leicester City 3-1. Attendances in general were continuing to drop although United were attracting better gates away from Old Trafford. 69,000 squeezed into Goodison for the Everton game. Only 49,000 watched the Manchester City derby.

1963 - 1964: The masses return to Old Trafford
The cup success drew the crowds back to old Trafford. 63,000 fans watched United thrash Everton 5-1, Ipswich receiving a 7-2 drubbing. A 6-1 defeat at Burnley was revenged with a 5-1 victory two days later.

United's new players included Sadler, Anderson, the ineffective Moore from Chelsea and the magical George Best. John Connelly also joined United from Burnley. The trio of Charlton, Law and Best ('holy trinity') were to become household names and lay fear and wonder into the hearts of opposition teams everywhere.

The youth team won the FA Youth Cup again by beating Swindon Town 5-2 on aggregate.

1964 - 1965: The Championship returns to Old Trafford
United further strengthened the their team with Fitzpatrick, Aston, and Dunne. Success came to Old Trafford in the form of Uniteds first league championship since 1957.

The finish for the league title couldn't been closer as United pipped Leeds United on goal difference. A cup run to the semis was also achieved while a play-off defeat by Ferencvaros deprived United a place in the Fairs Cup final.

United's success resulted in an increase in attendances crowds around the 55,000 to 63,000 mark were a regular feature at Old Trafford.

1965 - 1966: Back in the European Cup
Ryan and Noble, who had promising futures cut short were United's new players this year.

The crowds were once again flocking to watch United. United came a reasonable 4th in the league and lost out to Everton in the FA cup semi final.

The Charity Shield was shared with Liverpool after a 2-2 draw. United's return in the premier European competition ends in a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Yugoslavia's Partizan Belgrade.

1966 - 1967: Champions again!
Chelsea this helped to consolidate a position that had troubled United for a couple of years. The goal keeping duties had been shared by Gregg Gaskill and recently Dunne. Stepney now took the mantle of goalkeeper.

High points of the season included 5-0 against Sunderland, 6-1 against West Ham, results which helped United to the League Championship again. It was the seventh league title for United after finishing four points clear of Nottingham Forest.

A shock defeat to giant killers Norwich ended United's cup run in the 3rd round. In the League Cup they lost very disappointingly in the second round. More than 60,000 fans watched United on no less than eight occassions this year.

1967 - 1968: Champions of Europe!
United's squad was strengthened further with the promotion of Burns, Gowling, Rimmer and the current assistant manager Brian Kidd.

Attendance soared topping the 60,000 mark in the league alone 12 times.

On 29 May 1968, 100,000 mainly United fans witnessed the club's finest hour, the 4-1 defeat of Benfica in the European Cup final. United became the first English club to win the European Cup with a thrilling win over the Portugeuse champions at Wembley. Bobby Charlton gave United the lead only for Graca to equalise and send the game into extra time.

George Best then restored United's lead with a fine individual goal and as Benfica collapsed, goals from Charlotn and a header by Brian Kidd, celebrating his nineteenth birthday, sealed a famous victory.

This was United's finest hour and the realisation Matt Busby's dream. Matt Busby received a knighthood from the Queen in recognition of his services to football.

The Charity Shield was shared again after a 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. The 2nd position in the league, after Manchester City, paled to nothing when United triumphed at Wembley. United lost 10 of their 42 league games and scored 89 goals, giving them a goal average of +34.

1968 - 1969: Sir Matt steps down
Morgan, Sartori and James were United's recruits this year although playing attractive football and attracting the crowds United seemed to wane after their triumph over Benfica. They finished a poor 11th in the league and lost in the 6th round of the cup to Everton.

Any hopes of retaining the European crown were shattered by AC Milan who triumphed 2-1 on aggregate in the semi final. United also lost the World Cup Championship in a bitterly contested two-logged affair. Estudiantes of Argentina triumphed 2-1 on aggregate. Sir Matt Busby decided to give up control of the team and became general manager. Wilf McGuinness took charge of the team.

1969 - 1970: Wilf McGuinness takes over at Old Trafford
1969 saw Wilf McGuinness promoted to manager on Matt Busbys retirement. Ian Ure joined the team in a stop gap measure to strengthen the defence.

A chaotic year ended any chance United had of success. Best, although leading goal scorer was on his worse behaviour. Charlton and other senior team members would not accept the authority of McGuinness. United finished a poor 8th in the leaguei.

There was more semi final disappointment as United lost 1-0 to Leeds United after two replays, they also lost 4-3 on aggragate to Manchester City in the League Cup semi final. McGuinness eventually was relieved of his position in December 1970 when Matt Busby once again took control at Old Trafford.

Disappointing Seventies 1970 - 1980