Manchester United Football Club is an English association football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester. The club was formed in Newton Heath in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR F.C., and played their first competitive match in October 1886, when they entered the First Round of the 1886–87 FA Cup.[2] The club was renamed Manchester United F.C. in 1902, and they moved to Old Trafford in 1910.[3] The club won its first significant trophy in 1908, the First Division title. Since then, the club has won a further 19 league titles, along with 13 FA Cups and six League Cups. They have also been crowned champions of European football on three occasions by winning the European Cup.[3][4] The club was one of 22 teams in the Premier League when it was formed in 1992. They experienced the most successful period in their history under the management of Alex Ferguson, who guided the team to 13 league titles in 21 years.[5][6]
Since Manchester United's first competitive match, 979 players have made a competitive first-team appearance for the club.[7] Many of these players have spent only a short period of their career at Manchester United before seeking opportunities in other teams. Peter Beardsley played just one match for Manchester United, but went on to have a very successful career at Newcastle United, Liverpool, and several other clubs; he also won 59 caps for the England national team.[8] Gerard Piqué made 23 appearances across four seasons with Manchester United before departing for FC Barcelona, his boyhood club. He went on to have a decorated career with Barcelona and the Spanish national team.[9] Some players had their careers cut short by injury, while others left for other reasons. Jimmy Davis was killed in a car accident in 2003 having made one first-team appearance, the first Manchester United player to die during his career since the Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of many of the Busby Babes, including Geoff Bent.[10][11] The First and Second World Wars also disrupted the careers of footballers across the United Kingdom.[12][13] A small handful of players, including Henrik Larsson, Odion Ighalo, Marcel Sabitzer, and Sergio Reguilón, spent only a short time at Manchester United on loan deals.[1][14][15][16]
As of 17 August 2025, a total of 498 players have played fewer than 25 competitive matches for the club.[7] Four former players — John Scott, Ted Buckle, Eddie Lewis and Michael Clegg — each made 24 appearances during their spell at Manchester United.[17][18][19][20]
The most recent player to make his debut for the club is Slovenian forward Benjamin Šeško, who came on as a substitute in the 2025–26 Premier League match against Arsenal.[21] The current player closest to making his 25th appearance for the club is Danish defender Patrick Dorgu, who has made 23 appearances for Manchester United.[22]
Statistics correct as of match played 30 August 2025
Pre-1960s | Post-1960s | ||
---|---|---|---|
GK | Goalkeeper | ||
FB | Full back | DF | Defender |
HB | Half back | MF | Midfielder |
FW | Forward | ||
U | Utility player1 |
General
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