The club was formed as Newton Heath L&YR F.C. in 1878 and entered the football league in 1892. Ten years later the team went by the name Manchester United! Manchester United's success story began to develop during the Busby years 1945-1969, and the players became known as 'The Busby Babes'. Apart from Sir Matt Busby United's greatest manager has to be Sir Alex Ferguson who has guided them to many trophies over his 22 years as manager including the famous treble in 1998-1999 season. Currently they hold the FA Premier League Title and European Cup. Perhaps next season they can do the treble again and repeat their success of 1999.

Manchester United are one of the most successful football teams in England. Here are their current honours but this list is by no means complete as I am sure many more trophies are to be won soon.

Premier League

1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007,2008

FA Cup

1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004

League Cup

1992, 2006

European Cup

1999,2008

Goalkeeper

Edwin Van Der Sar

This is Man Utd's number one goalkeeper, who is the best thing since Peter Schmeichel!! He also plays for the Dutch national team and started off his career in Holland, playing for Ajax, before moving to Juventus, Fulham and then Manchester United in 2005.

Defenders

Rio Ferdinand

He started off in the famous West Ham youth team which included the likes of Frank Lampard, before moving to Leeds and then Manchester United in 2002 for a record breaking fee, and believe me he has been worth every penny. A regular member of England's back four.

Nemanja Vidic

The Serbian 26 year old arrived in Manchester in January 2006 and has held down a constant spot alongside Rio in the centre of Manchester United's defence, helping Man Utd to two successive titles.

Patrice Evra

French right back who is as good defending as he is attacking. Came to Manchester in Jan 2006, and he looks to be with Utd for a long time following his impressive displays this season. He also plays regulary for the French national team.

Wes Brown

The reliable English defender has been with Utd since he was a youth, and is very versatile, being able to play both at left back in the absence of Gary Neville as well as centre back. One of Utd's unsung heroes.

Midfielders

Paul Scholes

If he is not injured probably Fergie's first name on the team sheet. Mr reliable, and he has served Utd well. He started off with them in the 1990s as a schoolboy, and made his debut in the 1994-1995 season. One of the best midfielders in the world and very highly rated among fellow pros. He is coming near the end of his career now and when he decides to hang up his boots he will be badly missed. In my opinion irreplaceable!

Michael Carrick

Another English midfielder who started off his career with West Ham before moving to Spurs and then Utd in 2006. He made a slow start to his career but now things ahve really started to take off and he was hugely influential late season.

Owen Hargreaves

English international who only recently moved to Manchester United after spending many years with Bayern Munich. Had a reasonably good first season with Utd but I say the best is yet to come.

Anderson

Young 20 year old Brazilian, who is definately one for the future. Made several first team appearances and was very impressive.

Wingers

Cristiano Ronaldo

This guy needs no introduction as he is probably the best player in the world right now and was one of the main reasons for Utd's dominance and success in the past two seasons. Player of the year, golden boot award for the season, think of an award and he has probably won it. He just seems to get better and better with every season, see my feature below. Also plays in the Portuguese national team, and you can see him in action this summer in Euro 2008.

Ryan Giggs

One of the most loyal players in the Premier League. The Welsh wing wizard is United through and through and turned down many offers to move to Italy in the 1990s. He won Utd the Premiership single handed, or footed in this case in the 90s and was the reason for their springboard back to success under Sir Alex in the early 90s. Now in his mid-thirties, retirement is looming and the day he hangs up his boots will be a very sad day for all Utd fans! Long live King Ryan.

Nani

Young Portuguese player who may follow in Ronaldo's steps. He is showing great early promise and I have high hopes he will improve next season.

Strikers

Wayne Rooney

The one and only Rooney, superstar striker, there is nothing he cant do. Came from Everton in 2004. It is hard to believe he is still only 22 considering his immense talent and achievements to date! Is an importnat player for England also.

Carlos Tevez

Twenty-four year old Argentina international who came to Utd in 2007. Has amazing ability on the ball and scored many crucial goals for Utd in his debut season. A real find by Sir Alex and I hope he extends his contract.

Ferguson began his love affair with Manchester United in 1986. He won his first trophy in 1990 and this was the start of big things to come, although it was slow going for a while. He was Manager of the year in the 1992-1993 season and led Utd to their first Premiership crown in 26 years. He followed this success with a double the next season winning the Premiership and FA Cup. He repeated this double the next season, and in 1996-1997 he led his team to their fourth title in only five years. Greater success lay ahead and in 1999 three trophies were brought back to Old Trafford including the highly sought European Cup. Since then he has went on to win 4 titles and another European Cup.

What next for the great man, who is the best manager in the world. Rock on Sir Alex.

Manchester United has been a club of legends including the late George Best, who was one of the best, if not the best player in the world at one time. Unfortunately he battled with booze and died in 2005 at the young age of 59 after suffering multiple organ failure as a result of his addiction.

He had an excellent sense of humour!

GEORGE BEST QUOTES

I've stopped drinking, but only while I'm asleep.

I'd give all the Champagne I've ever drunk to be playing alongside him in a big European match at Old Trafford.
Eric Cantona impressed Best.

In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol - it was the worst 20 minutes of my life.

I was in for 10 hours and had 40 pints - beating my previous record by 20 minutes.
Best on the blood transfusion after his liver transplant.

I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.

The French superstar was an awesome player for the Reds, and helped them win many matches and medals. He won PFA Player of the Year in 1994.

Unfortunately his career was also surrounded by controversy due to his gallic temperament. Like Vinnie Jones he went into acting and has appeared in a few French movies

The great Sir Bobby was a real talent for both Manchester United and England winning the World Cup in 1966. He made 606 appearances and scored 199 goals for the red devils which is an incredible amount from midfield. He also extended this wondeful tally to international level scoring 49 goals in 106 appearances for England.

The amazing David Beckham who has spent his last 10 years or so in a media frenzy which has followed him and his wife around. He was a wonderful talent for the reds and the best free kick taker they have ever had, whilst at Man U he scored 61 times in 265 appearances. He later moved to Real Madrid and then LA but has not seen the success he experienced with Utd. He has made over 100 experiences for England and still plays for the international team.

They call it the theatre of dreams and its easy to see why. It holds a massive 76212 fans and is the biggest club ground in England.

Manchester United players are currently on holidays but they will return in three weeks time for pre season training. They have several friendly matches in July and August, before the Premiership season starts in mid August with the game against Newcastle.

Here are the list of fixtures for the season ahead

July 2008
12 Jul Pre-season Aberdeen A 15:00
19 Jul Pre-season Kaizer Chiefs N 15:30
22 Jul Pre-season Orlando Pirates N 20:10
26 Jul Pre-season Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates N 15:30
27 Jul Pre-season Portsmouth kick-off TBC N 00:00

August 2008
02 Aug Pre-season RCD Espanyol H 15:00
04 Aug Pre-season Peterborough A 19:45
06 Aug Pre-season Juventus H 20:00
10 Aug Community Shield Portsmouth N 15:00
16 Aug Barclays Premier League Newcastle H 15:00
23 Aug Barclays Premier League Portsmouth A 15:00
29 Aug UEFA Super Cup Zenit St Petersburg N 19:45
30 Aug Barclays Premier League Fulham H 15:00

September 2008
13 Sep Barclays Premier League Liverpool A 15:00
20 Sep Barclays Premier League Chelsea A 15:00
27 Sep Barclays Premier League Bolton H 15:00

October 2008
04 Oct Barclays Premier League Blackburn A 15:00
18 Oct Barclays Premier League West Brom H 15:00
25 Oct Barclays Premier League Everton A 15:00
28 Oct Barclays Premier League West Ham H 20:00

November 2008
01 Nov Barclays Premier League Hull City H 15:00
08 Nov Barclays Premier League Arsenal A 15:00
15 Nov Barclays Premier League Stoke City H 15:00
22 Nov Barclays Premier League Aston Villa A 15:00
29 Nov Barclays Premier League Man City A 15:00

December 2008
06 Dec Barclays Premier League Sunderland H 15:00
13 Dec Barclays Premier League Tottenham A 15:00
20 Dec Barclays Premier League Wigan H 15:00
26 Dec Barclays Premier League Stoke City A 15:00
28 Dec Barclays Premier League Middlsbro H 15:00

January 2009
10 Jan Barclays Premier League Chelsea H 15:00
17 Jan Barclays Premier League Bolton A 15:00
27 Jan Barclays Premier League West Brom A 19:45
31 Jan Barclays Premier League Everton H 15:00

February 2009
07 Feb Barclays Premier League West Ham A 15:00
21 Feb Barclays Premier League Blackburn H 15:00
28 Feb Barclays Premier League Portsmouth H 15:00

March 2009
04 Mar Barclays Premier League Newcastle A 19:45
14 Mar Barclays Premier League Liverpool H 15:00
21 Mar Barclays Premier League Fulham A 15:00

April 2009
04 Apr Barclays Premier League Aston Villa H 15:00
11 Apr Barclays Premier League Sunderland A 15:00
18 Apr Barclays Premier League Wigan A 15:00
25 Apr Barclays Premier League Tottenham H 15:00

May 2009
02 May Barclays Premier League Middlsbro A 15:00
09 May Barclays Premier League Man City H 15:00
16 May Barclays Premier League Arsenal H 15:00
24 May Barclays Premier League Hull City A 15:00

These fixtures are not complete as the many cup competitons including the champions league, FA Cup and Carling Cup are missing. Matches may also be changed due to television coverage.