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On the 28th of May, Manchester United, newly crowned as the most successful club ever in England, take on the Spanish champions Barcelona. Both teams have been equally successful in Europe having won three European titles each, with Manchester United last doing it in 2008 when they defeated Chelsea in Moscow, and Barcelona doing it in 2009, when they played the defending champions United out of the park in Rome. This tie has captured the interest of the entire footballing world, with the two best sides in Europe deservingly in the finals.
For Manchester United, there will be two key issues they will look to address with the final. One will be revenge for the way in which Barcelona played them out of the park in Rome and the Red Devils will be gunning to make amends. The other key aspect is how United have been underachievers in Europe, having won just three European Cups for a club of their stature. Wembley, the Mecca of English football, recently saw a side from Manchester lift the FA Cup. Will it be the other side of Manchester’s turn now? Let us have a look at what Manchester United have achieved at grandest stage of European football.
THE BUSBY BABES
Sir Matt Busby led United to their first ever European Cup
United first took part in what was then known as the European Cup in the season 1956-1957 after having won the league in the previous season. A lot was expected from Sir Matt and his Babes and they delivered in style. Their first tie was against Anderlecht in Brussels, which they won comfortably 2-0. The reverse leg saw a record made which stands till today. Manchester United thrashed Anderlecht 10-0 at Maine Road (The O.T was being repaired then) to give the club their biggest win in history. After a good run in their first ever European Cup, they were knocked out by European Cup veterans Real Madrid in the semi-finals. The stage was set and United were soon being seen as one of the best in Europe thanks to the Babes.
The next season, United qualified for the Cup again, and had convincing victories before reaching the QFs where they were going to face Red Star Belgrade. After a comfortable victory at home in the first leg, they traveled to Belgrade to draw and thus qualify for the SFs. What happened next is something which will be etched in every United fan’s mind and heart. The Munich Air Tragedy, which saw several of the Busby Babes lose their lives, rocked the foundation of the club and sent shockwaves through the corridors of football. Sir Matt survived along with a few players like Bobby Charlton, but Man United lost 8 of their starting eleven. A loss which changed United’s fate, a loss which will go down in history of the club as the biggest ever. Manchester United, with a second string side were knocked out of Europe by AC Milan.
Sir Matt took on his biggest challenge yet along with Jimmy Murphy, to build a team from scratch in order to get United to its previous glory days, in order to win so as the efforts of those young stalwarts didn’t go in vain. It took United 9 long seasons to get back into the Cup in 1965-1966, where after good victories against Helsinki, Vorwarts and Benfica, they reached the semi-finals. United were looking strong to win the Cup, but it was not to be as they were knocked out by Partizan Belgrade in the SFs. Sir Matt was disappointed having beaten the favorites Benfica on their way and yet not being able to win and he, believing that his dream of winning the European Cup was over, considered retirement. However, he resolved to win another league title and have one last shot at Europe’s biggest prize. Thus, came the season all United fans were waiting for.
After beating Hibernians, Sarajevo and Zabrze in the first three rounds, United then faced Real Madrid in the semi finals. The 1-0 victory at home, and an amazing 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu took Sir Matt and his men to the final, where they were going to face Benfica. They thrashed Benfica in style as they won 4-1( having scored three goals in extra time) to get one of the most emotional and inspiring victories of all time. United thus became the first English club to win the European Cup. United qualified for the Cup again next season, but were knocked out by AC Milan in the semi finals.
AFTER SIR MATT BUSBY
After Sir Matt Busby retired in 1971, it took United 20 long years to qualify for the European Cup, which was now known as the Champions League, under another Scott, Sir Alex Ferguson. In this transitional period of 20 years, Man United weren’t really considered a force to reckon with under Ron Atkinson, Tom Dockherty and Dave Sexton, and the only trophy they won in Europe was the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990-1991 under Sir Alex. Also contributing to United’s not being in Europe was the Heysel stadium disaster in Brussels, Belgium in 1985, where in the final between Juventus and Liverpool, a wall collapsed killing 39 Juve fans, and injuring 600 others. The collapse of the wall was seen as a result of Liverpool fans’ hooliganism, and as a result all England clubs were banned in European competitions for an indefinite period of time, which was subsequently lifted in 1990-1991, and it took United just two more seasons to qualify for the Champions League.
THE SIR ALEX FERGUSON ERA
When Alex Ferguson came to manage Manchester United, he was a relatively unknown figure. And no one, not even he thought that day that he would become the most successful manager of Manchester United. His first two Champions League campaigns were major flops as in 1993-1994 they were knocked out in the second round by Turkish giants Galatasaray, whereas in the next season they were knocked out in the group stages. The big names had left Man United, and Sir Alex had to build a team from scratch. He took the Matt Busby approach, and produced some young players, affectionately known as Fergie’s Fledglings. This approach was heavily criticized and absolutely nothing was expected from this bunch of youngsters. But, this approach began to bear fruit as in the 1996-1997 campaign, the young side reached the semi finals, only to be knocked out by Borussia Dortmund. The next season saw a disappointing quarter final loss to AS Monaco.
Fergie's Fledglings achieved the impossible in the 1998-99 season
Then came the famous Treble-winning season of 1998-1999 when Manchester United won the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Premier League. The final of the Champions League will be remembered by all United fans for the thrills it gave them, as in stoppage time, the team came from behind after being completely outplayed by Bayern Munich to score two goals in a period of three minutes to win the Champions League. The fledglings became famous. Ole Gunner Solskjaer achieved cult status for his winning goal in the finals, and Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville became household names. The Fledglings had achieved something unique and Sir Alex had finally silenced his critics.
In 1999-2000, United were knocked out by eventual winners Real Madrid. Manchester United then reached the QFs or SFs for the next two seasons respectively, but their next three seasons were disappointing. In 2003-2004, United went out in the First Qualifying round to Mourinho’s Porto’s inspired tactical performance. Next season, AC Milan knocked them out in a season where United didn’t manage a single trophy. The 2005-2006 season was their worst ever after Sir Alex joined, as they failed to go past the qualifying rounds. Their next season failed as they couldn’t manage to play their game in the rain at the San Siro as Milan knocked them out. United always fight back and then came their resurgence. After a captivating performance in the quarters and semis against teams like Barcelona and Roma due to some great performances by Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, came their sternest test as they faced Chelsea, whom they had beaten to win the Premier League the same season. Both teams were neck to neck in the finals, just like they had been all season, with United winning on penalties. Thus came Sir Alex’s second European triumph, and United’s third overall.
The Mastermind behind United's change of fortune in Europe
Next season, they again performed exceptionally, beating Inter, Porto and Arsenal to reach the finals, which they lost against a Messi-inspired Barcelona. United showed much promise in the next season despite having lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Madrid, and reached the quarters where an amazing Arjen Robben volley helped Bayern Munich knock United out on away goals.
United have had their share of bad luck in Europe. Sometimes, they have also underperformed losing to teams they were touted to beat easily. After Sir Alex came to Manchester, they have qualified for all Champions League tournaments since 1996-1997. Manchester United were always a good team in England, overshadowed by Liverpool and Tottenham in early years. But, Sir Alex’s reign has changed all that. With the Premier League crown this season, United have knocked Liverpool off their perch by winning the record 19th title. Their performances in Europe have also started getting consistent. Yes, they haven’t been as free flowing in the early group stages in the Champions League, but they have managed to produce the goods in the knock out matches, and have knocked out some very good teams with their performances.
It looks like Sir Alex has finally cracked the European code, with his side having reached the finals three times in four years. The big question now is, will he able to crack the Barcelona code, the team proclaimed by many to be the greatest team ever, and will he able to do what the ‘Special One’ couldn’t? He is definitely the best manager in England, is it now time for Europe to see the mastermind at work? Perhaps. We will know all the answers on the 28th of May.
