The A-Z Of...Manchester United FC

Barney Corkhill continues his A-Z series, this time giving an A-Z of Manchester United.

In this series I will go through every letter of the alphabet and link that letter with something to do with the topic.

Here we go!

A - Alex Ferguson

Manchester United's longest serving manager in terms of games managed, and most successful in terms of trophies won. He has been at the club since 1986, winning 10 Premier League titles on the way.

B - Bryan Robson

Captain Marvel, Bryan Robson, was the longest serving captain of Manchester United. He was skipper from 1982, the year after he joined United, to 1994, the year he left.

C - Charlton, Bobby

Bobby Charlton is probably the biggest United legend of them all. A survivor of the terrible Munich Air Disaster, and the man Busby re-built his team around, Bobby Charlton has scored more goals for United than anyone else, and is the second highest appearance maker for the club.

D - Duncan Edwards

The young defender who died in the Munich Air Disaster had the potential to become one of the all-time greats. Despite dying in his early 20's, he was recently voted United's greatest ever player.

E - European Cup

Each of United's three European Cups have been special. The 1968 one paid tribute to those who perished in Munich, the 1999 one completed the treble, and the 2008 was the first all-English final, and marked 40 years since their first triumph, and 50 since Munich.

F - FA Cup

No team has won the FA Cup more times than Man United. They have a special affinity with the competition, having won it a record 11 times.

G - George Best

One of the most talented players in United's illustrious history. Best's glory years came at United, and none more so than 1968, when he was instrumental in guided United to European Cup glory.

H - Heroes

United, as with every club, have had their fair share of heroes. From Charlton, Law and Best to Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez, every generation has thrown up United heroes.

I - Ipswich Town

It was Ipswich who were on the end of United's record Premier League win. The score ended up 9-0, with Andy Cole bagging five goals.

J - Joy

United fans, especially in recent years, must have had immeasurable joy. Their team has been in and around the top for the best part of two decades, and it doesn't look like stopping anytime soon.

K - Keane, Roy

Ferguson himself said that Keane was the best player he has ever coached. As a captain he was fierce and inspirational. No United captain has matched his trophy haul.

L - Law, Denis

Along with Best and Charlton, Denis Law made up the feared front three of United in the 60s and 70s. One of United's best, most natural, and prolific goal-scorers, he is perhaps one of the only men who could have scored a goal for Man City which relegated United, but be forgiven.

M - Munich Air Disaster

One of the biggest footballing tragedies to hit England. The much acclaimed "Busby Babes" were involved in a plane crash in which eight of the players died, along with 15 other passengers.

N - Newton Heath FC

The original name of the club before they became known as Manchester United, back in 1902.

O - Old Trafford

The so-called "Theatre of Dreams". Old Trafford has been witness to some great moments and great players. It remains the biggest club ground in England, consistently getting the highest average attendance.

P - Premier League

The Premier League has belonged to United since it's inception. Arsenal have been a nuisance, Chelsea too, but there is no doubting who the biggest boys of the Premier League era are.

Q - Quieroz, Carlos

I had trouble finding one for "Q", so I settled for the former assistant manager, Carlos Quieroz, who helped United to the Europe and League double last season.

R - Ryan Giggs

No player has played more times in a United shirt, nor won more trophies. He is the most decorated player in English football history, and has been a fixture in the United side for over a decade and a half.

S - Sir Matt Busby

The engineer of the "Busby Babes", and the longest serving manager, in terms of time at the club, in United's history. After miraculously surviving the Munich Air Disaster, Busby led United to their first ever European Cup in 1968.

T - The Treble

In 1999, Man United became the first team to win the treble consisting of the three top prizes available to English club sides. These were the Premier League, the FA Cup and the European Cup.

U - UEFA Cup

It remains, to this day, the only major trophy that United have never won. However, that may be because recently they have consistently qualified for the Champions League.

V - Viollet, Dennis

One of the greatest goalscorers in the club's history, and one of the most prolific. In the top 10 United scorers of all time, only one man has been more prolific, and that is another "V" - Van Nistelrooy.

W - Winners

The club's fans, players and staff have become accustomed to winning to such an extent that now a trophy-less season is seen as a big failure.

X - X-Rays

As always, X is giving me trouble. And this time there is no Abel Xavier to save me. I've gone for X-Rays, as they have been a big part of United's injury list over the years, from Rooney's foot to Alan Smith's broken leg. Sorry for the poor "X" section!

Y - Youth

United have always given youth a chance. From the Busby Babes to Fergie's Fledglings. Players who were at United from youth make an all-star list: David Beckham, Bobby Charlton, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes etc.

Z - Zenith

Have United reached their zenith back in 1999? Well, Fergie thinks his current team is better than that team so perhaps not! We'll have to wait and see!

So there you have your latest A-Z of the series! I hope you enjoyed it!

Other A-Z's:

Premier League A-Z

Liverpool A-Z