Click on the blue links to see how The Times reported United's big moments

1958

Lost generation who were cruelly denied the chance to fulfil their undoubted potential

Eight United players were killed when their plane crashed in Munich after a refuelling stop on the return from a European Cup tie in Belgrade. The sudden loss the standard bearers of English football suffered brought worldwide sympathy, fired imaginations as to what they might have achieved, and required the rebuilding of a team.

1963

The arrival of Best heralded an era of champagne football

A year after Denis Law was signed, a swaggering Northern Irishman by the name of George Best arrived at the club and went on to become one of the greatest players of all time, helping to make United one of the most well known teams in the world.

1968

Decade after disaster United won their first European Cup

Ten years after the destruction in Munich of a team who had seemed destined to win the European Cup, Matt Busby guided the side he had rebuilt with the “Holy Trinity” of Best, Law and Bobby Charlton to glory against Benfica. United ran out 4-1 winners, after extra time, with Charlton scoring twice.

1969

Busby's background move casts a shadow that haunts his successor

Busby had almost single-handedly turned United into one of the greatest forces in European football, but his decision to stay in the background as general manager when he handed over to Wilf McGuinness not only hampered his successor but proved the start of a decline that was unthinkable at the time.

1974

Relegation prompts change and a return to the top flight

Shock relegation to the old second division, six years after they had conquered in Europe, proved the catalyst for change. Tommy Docherty built a team who attracted the highest average attendances in England as they stormed back to the top flight.

1976

Defeat in first FA Cup Final for more than a decade, but club net global following

United reached their first FA Cup Final for 13 years, but while the game finished in a surprise defeat by Southampton, it proved the first of five final appearances in ten years at a time when the game was starting to be shown around the world on television, inadvertently increasing the club’s global following.

1977

United keep their distance as manager is sacked over affair

Docherty, the United manager, was revealed to be having an affair with Mary Brown, wife of physiotherapist Laurie, so the club, embarrassed by the scandal, sacked him and replaced him with Dave Sexton, previously the manager at Queens Park Rangers.

1980

Long-serving chairman under scrutiny, and son takes over

World In Action accused Louis Edwards, the chairman since 1965, of suspect dealing in the meat industry and bribing the parents of schoolboy players. The authorities investigated but Edwards died, inquiries petered out and his son, Martin, took over.

1981

Atkinson brings Robson and consistency to Old Trafford

With Dave Sexton’s United accused of being too dull, Ron Atkinson was installed as manager and ordered to bring a little flamboyance to the team’s play. He signed Bryan Robson, the England midfield player, from West Bromwich Albion, helping to ensure that the club finished in the top four throughout his five-year reign.

1984

Maradona and Barcelona are humbled on great cup night

Having lost the first leg of their European Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final 2-0 to Barcelona, United stormed back on a great night at Old Trafford to beat Diego Maradona’s side 3-0, with two goals from Robson and one from Frank Stapleton.

1985

Whiteside's scoring habit seals another Cup triumph

Norman Whiteside had scored in the FA Cup and League Cup finals in 1983 and repeated the feat in the 1985 FA Cup Final against Everton, curling home the only goal, in extra time. United were down to ten men after Kevin Moran became the first player to be sent off in the final of England’s leading cup competition.

1986

Ferguson's arrival heralds change in management style

With Atkinson having tried and failed to end United’s long wait for the league title, Alex Ferguson was installed as manager in November. His no-nonsense management style brought an end to the drinking culture and he began the long process of overhauling the youth system.

1988

Enter Giggs with talent to spare and potential for greatness

Ryan Giggs played at Manchester City as a schoolboy, but, believing that the Welsh wizard was a star in the making, Ferguson pounced and the winger signed for United. Ferguson later remarked that if Giggs did not make it, everyone may as well pack their bags and go home, such was the player’s talent.

1989

Narrow escape as Knighton fails in his takeover attempt

United were on the verge of being taken over by Michael Knighton and the prospective owner was pictured playing keepy-uppy in the sunshine before the club’s opening-day hammering of Arsenal. But the deal fell through amid claims that he could not find backers.

1990

Robins seals place in folklore with goal that saved Ferguson’s job

Ferguson was thought to be on the brink of being sacked after three trophy-less seasons but when Mark Robins scored the only goal in the FA Cup third-round win away to Nottingham Forest, it proved the start of a victorious run in the competition and the catalyst to the most successful period in the club’s history.

1991

Hughes the hero for Ferguson, who tastes first European glory with United

United were not the first football club to be floated on the Stock Exchange but the move helped to consolidate their position as the wealthiest in the country. Ferguson masterminded a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final, with Mark Hughes scoring both goals.

1992

Signing Cantona makes amends for title near-miss

United’s pursuit of a first league title for 25 years ended in agony as Leeds United pipped them to glory. Leeds then lost Eric Cantona to United for a paltry £1.2 million — the Frenchman’s influence over the next five years was almost impossible to quantify.

1993

The wait is over after Bruce and Keane inspire the first title since 1967

A defining year. United ended their 26-year wait for the title after seeing off Aston Villa, in no small part thanks to a dramatic winning goal by Steve Bruce deep into stoppage time against Sheffield Wednesday. No less significant had been the signing of Roy Keane for a then record British transfer fee of £3.75 million.

1995

Double anguish as title and FA Cup slip away

Pipped to the title on the final day by Blackburn Rovers and defeated in the FA Cup Final by Everton, the 1994-95 season was not one to remember for Ferguson, although it was United’s crushing 4-0 loss to Barcelona in Spain in the Champions League that most upset the manager.

1995

Frenchman picks bad time to demonstrate his agility

Cantona had a unique way of dealing with life’s problems so, when a spectator abused him at Selhurst Park during a match against Crystal Palace, the Frenchman performed a kung-fu kick, launching his feet into the man’s chest, earning an eight-month ban.

1999

From despair to treble joy in two glorious minutes

A season like no other. Two goals in stoppage time in the European Cup final, their first since 1968, earned United a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich and secured the club an historic treble, having already won the Premier League and FA Cup.

2000

United choose global glory above domestic bliss

Apparently encouraged by the FA to play in the inaugural Club World Championship in Brazil in the hope that it would benefit the country’s bid to host the 2006 World Cup finals, United, the holders, provoked outrage by withdrawing from the FA Cup.

2002

Manager’s volte-face lifts spirits and revives fortunes

Having announced that he would retire at the end of the 2001-02 season, Ferguson performed a spectacular about-turn. It would prove another pivotal moment in the club’s history. The same year, United agreed a £300 million, 13-year deal with Nike.

2003

United go for new blood as Ronaldo replaces Beckham

Angry at David Beckham’s supposed failure to mark an opponent when Arsenal scored in their FA Cup win at Old Trafford, Ferguson kicked a boot that cut Beckham just above the eye. Beckham was sold to Real Madrid and Ferguson signed Cristiano Ronaldo.

2004

Money no object as Ferguson splashes out for Rooney

Having already landed Ronaldo, United flexed their financial muscle again, paying Everton a projected £27 million for Wayne Rooney, as Ferguson continued to invest for the future on the way to building yet another great United team.

2005

Supporters rebel after American takeover puts the club in debt

A club with no debt was plunged deep into the red as Malcolm Glazer, the American sports tycoon, and his family bought United in a £790 million takeover. Many fans were so upset that they formed a breakaway club, FC United of Manchester.

2007

Big-money signings pay off as league title is regained

Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Co underlined their promise by helping United to recapture the Premier League title for the first time since 2003 and so preventing Chelsea extending their domination beyond two seasons.

2008

United secure Premier League and Champions League double

Where to start? United added the European Cup, their third, to the Premier League title after overcoming Chelsea on penalties in Moscow. Ronaldo’s 42 goals this season confirmed his position as the best player on the planet, and Ryan Giggs overtook Sir Bobby Charlton’s record with his 759th appearance for the club.