In 1950 Manchester United played Mexico. They won the 1952 league championships against Arsenal 6-1 and they set about touring America. The Manchester team was now growing old and Busby introduced some new talent, Duncan Edwards being one of them.

With the new team United took the first division by storm. Sir Matt Busby was reported to have said at this stage that “it’s a world game”. In 1957 United entered the European Cup and played Athletico Bilbao in the quarter finals and Madrid in the semis, which they lost.

In 1957 they also played Aston Villa in the FA Cup, which they also lost 2-1. In 1958 they chased the three titles again and in the European Cup Quarter finals they won and made it to the semi-finals.

Returning from this match, the great plane crash happened at Munich airport. Twenty-three people died, including eight players. Sir Matt fought for his life in a Munich hospital and survived. The whole of Manchester mourned, as did the world.

The team then introduced a lot of new signings to patch it up, including Johnny Giles. Surprisingly, they made it to the FA Cup final against Bolton.

In 1962 Dennis Law was signed and a bright new era had arrived with him, including the 1963 FA Cup final which he almost won single-handedly. Also signed up were Bobby Charlton, David Herd and Nobby Stiles. It was also the era of the great George Best who was spotted by Bob Bishop, the United Irish scout in Belfast.

They played in the European Cup again but were knocked out by Sporting Lisbon. Sir Matt was unhappy. He seemed to be obsessed by the European Cup and in 1968 they made it to the semi-finals against Real Madrid.

They won this game and the final too, in which they played against the great Usavio of Benfica. It was 1-1 and in extra time United scored three. Busby was knighted. George Best was only 23.

Sir Matt left the team at the end of the season. Wilf McGuinness, a 32 year old, took over. He left in 1970 after just 18 months, due to a defeat by Aston Villa in the semi-finals. An Irish man, Frank O’Farrell, then took over.

In 1972 United were getting beaten regularly and ended up one place from the bottom. O’Farrell was also sacked. George Best retired and Bobby Charlton also left after 706 games and Dennis Law joined Manchester City.

United had no stars left and they slipped to the second division but with Stuart Pearson as captain re-entered the first division. Steve Coppell joined from Tranmere Rovers along with Gordon Hill. United were back and in 1976 were in the FA Cup final against Southampton, which they lost. They also played in the UEFA cup. In 1977 they won the FA Cup 2-1 against Liverpool. Martin Buchan lifted the trophy.

Docherty was then told to leave the team as he had an affair with the Physiotherapist’s wife. Dave Sexton took over and signed Joe Jordan and Gordon Mc Queen.

They made it to the FA Cup final against Arsenal in 1979. It was a very dramatic match with United coming back from 2-0 down with just four minutes left to score 2.

Arsenal then squeezed a winner with 1 minute left. Ray Wilkins was signed and Sexton paid one and a quarter million for Gary Birtles. They won nothing and Sexton left.

It was time for big Ron Atkinson to take over. He signed Frank Stapleton and Bryan Robson and described Robson as “pure gold”. He also signed Norman Whiteside, a 17 year old.

They then went on to win the FA Cup 4-0 against Brighton in 1983. It was only their second major trophy in fifteen years.

Steve Coppell left due to injury and Atkinson signed Gordan Strachan from Aberdeen, Paul McGrath and Kevin Moran. In 1985 they took on Liverpool in the semi- final of the FA Cup and won 2-0. In the final they played Everton and won that too. Then disaster happened as Bryan Robson’s shoulder collapsed while playing against West Ham. Mark Hughes went to Barcelona.

Atkinson was asked to leave after United sunk to 19th in the league table. It was the turn of Alex Ferguson from Aberdeen.

United went on to many victories under Alex Ferguson, who is still manager to this day. They won the now-famous treble (FA Cup, league table and European championship) with the likes of Roy Keane and David Beckham in the squad in 1999.

United won the FA Cup for the 11th time in 2004 with a 3-0 win over Millwall. Wayne Rooney arrived in the same year and went on to win his first trophy at the club in February 2006, scoring twice in the 4-0 Carling Cup final win over Wigan Athletic.

Old Trafford has grown into one of the most impressive stadiums in the world with a capacity of over 76,000.

Above: Wayne Rooney