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Manchester United’s History in the UEFA Champions League
The Red Devils and UEFA Champions League are inseparable. Playing the European top-flight competition is in their blood. Such is no surprise as they are the first English club to join and win the tournament in history. The nights in Old Trafford during the UCL fixtures are always worth waiting for in both an exciting and daunting atmosphere with around 70,000 fans in the stadium in each game.
Manchester United have always had stars on their side in each of their glory days from George Best, Denis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ole Solksjaer to Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Each and every one of them played important role in winning the Champions League trophy.
Nevertheless, when it comes to managers, only two noteworthy names come to mind, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson. They were the key figures behind their three European titles.
Manchester United’s Top Achievements in the Champions League
United’s most memorable seasons in the Champions League were surely in 1968, 1999, and 2008 when they won the trophies. The first one was always special. Back in 1968 and played at Wembley Stadium, Sir Matt Busby’s men hammered Benfica led by Eusebio 4-1 after extra time. The second and third titles really belong to Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scottish boss clinched the silverwares dramatically. The 1999 final was always unforgettable when they thumped Bayern 2-1 in Camp Nou, whereas the 2008 one had to be resolved by penalties against Chelsea after being held in a 1-1 draw. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co won the shootout 6-5. It was also the first all English final ever in the Champions League.
Unfortunately, their next two finals ended in a disaster. In 2009 and 2011, Sir Alex brought them to the summit again but they were beaten by Barcelona and their La Masia boys 0-2 and 1-3 respectively.
Man United’s Iconic Moments in the Champions League
Manchester United have had plenty of moments in UCL. Their debut in the 1956/57 season was the first one when they managed to reach the semi-final before losing to the reigning and eventual champions, Real Madrid. The next one was definitely their first final in Wembley in 1968. Led by the World Cup winner, Sir Bobby Charlton, the Red Devils dismantled Benfica and their Eusebio 4-1. He himself scored a brace followed by George Best’s and Brian Kidd’s goal.
Some other iconic moments took place in the 1990s onwards when David Beckham and Co won their second title in a dramatic way against Bayern. They already conceded through Mario Basler’s free-kick and had to wait till the last three minutes to overturn the score sheet by Teddy Sheringham’s and Ole Solksjaer’s goal. The 2008 final in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow was also memorable as the scorer Cristiano Ronaldo failed on penalties. Thanks to the veteran goalie Edwin Van der Sar who denied John Terry’s and Nicolas Anelka’s strike.
The most disappointing loss was definitely in the 2009 and 2011 finals. Sir Alex’s side was humiliated by the genius Pep Guardiola and his boy wonder, Lionel Messi. Barcelona won 2-0 and 3-1 in Wembley.
