MANCHESTER UNITED

I. Introduction

1. Brief history of Manchester United

Manchester United Football Club, commonly known as Man United or simply United, is a professional football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. The club was founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club by the Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath.

In 1902, the club was renamed to Manchester United, and they moved to Old Trafford in 1910. They joined the Football League First Division, which is now the Premier League, in 1892. Manchester United has since become one of the most successful clubs in English football history, winning numerous domestic and European titles.

Under the management of Sir Matt Busby, Manchester United won the league title for the first time in 1951, and then went on to win it again in 1956, 1957 and 1965. The team also won the European Cup for the first time in 1968, becoming the first English club to do so.

After the tragedy of the Munich air disaster in 1958, which killed eight of the club's players, Sir Matt Busby rebuilt the team, and Manchester United won the European Cup again in 1968, and then went on to win the league title again in the same year.

In 1986, Sir Alex Ferguson took over as manager and went on to become the most successful manager in the club's history. Under his leadership, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 1 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.

After Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, Manchester United has had several different managers, and the team has not been able to replicate the same level of success. However, the club still has a large and dedicated fan base and continues to be a major force in English football.

2. Current status and overall performance

As of 2021, Manchester United is currently one of the most valuable and successful football clubs in the world. The club has a strong financial position, with revenues of over £600 million in the 2019-2020 season. Manchester United has a large global fan base, with millions of fans in over 200 countries.

In terms of on-field performance, Manchester United has had a mixed record in recent years. The team has not been able to consistently challenge for the Premier League title, but have had success in the Europa League, winning the competition in 2017.

In the 2020-2021 season, Manchester United finished in 2nd place in the Premier League, and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, losing to Italian side AS Roma. The team has a strong squad, with some of the best players in the world, such as Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire.

The current manager of Manchester United is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who took over the role in December 2018. Since his appointment, the team has improved and played some attractive football. The club is looking to build on this progress in the upcoming seasons and compete for major honours.

Overall, Manchester United is still considered one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the world, with a rich history and a bright future. The team continues to attract top talent and has a strong following of dedicated fans.

II. The team

1. Key players and their roles

Manchester United has a strong squad with several key players who play important roles in the team. Here are a few of the most important players and their roles:

1. Bruno Fernandes - Midfielder: Fernandes is considered one of the best midfielders in the world, known for his creativity, vision, and goal-scoring ability. He is the team's main playmaker and also takes set-pieces such as penalties and free-kicks.

2. Harry Maguire - Defender: Maguire is the team's captain and a key player in defense. He is known for his leadership, aerial ability and physicality. He also plays an important role in the team's build-up play, as he is comfortable with the ball at his feet.

3. Marcus Rashford - Forward: Rashford is a quick and skillful forward, known for his pace and ability to score goals. He can play as a center forward or as a winger. He is also known for his work off the field and his charity work.

4. Paul Pogba - Midfielder: Pogba is a powerful and technically gifted midfielder, known for his ability to control the midfield and dictate play. He is also known for his long-range shooting and set-piece ability.

5. David De Gea - Goalkeeper: De Gea is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has won several Premier League Golden Glove awards. He is known for his quick reflexes, shot-stopping ability and command of his area.

6. Luke Shaw - Left-back: Shaw is a quick and skillful left-back known for his ability to get forward and support the attack while also being solid defensively.

7. Mason Greenwood - Forward: Greenwood is a young and talented forward who made his breakthrough into the first team in 2019-2020 season, he is known for his finishing skills and ability to score goals, he is considered as one of the best young talents in the football world.

These are just a few of the key players on the Manchester United team, and there are many other talented players who play important roles as well.

2. Coach and management

As of 2021, the head coach of Manchester United is Ole Gunnar Solskjær. He was appointed as the caretaker manager on December 2018 after the sacking of José Mourinho and then as permanent manager in March 2019. Before joining Manchester United, Solskjaer has worked as a coach in different teams, but he is best known for his time as a player at Manchester United, where he won multiple trophies, including the UEFA Champions League.

Solskjaer has implemented a more attacking and possession-based style of play, which has led to an improvement in the team's performance. He has also been instrumental in the development of young players in the team and promoting them to the first team.

The management team of Manchester United is led by the executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. He is responsible for the overall running of the club, including the financial performance and the direction of the team. He works closely with the head coach and the board of directors to make decisions regarding player transfers, contracts, and other important matters.

The club also has a Director of Football, John Murtough, who was appointed in 2021. He is responsible for leading the football strategy of the club and overseeing the recruitment process, including identifying and signing new players, and overseeing the development of the academy.

Overall, the management and coaching team at Manchester United is made up of experienced and knowledgeable individuals who are dedicated to ensuring the success of the club.

Part 2 ..........