1968 European Cup Final: Manchester United 4 -1 SL Benfica

Champions of Europe at last! Wednesday May 29, 1968 At last the European Cup comes to England from Manchester United's triumph at Wembley last night. They won just as they promised they would, not so much for themselves as for their manager Matt Busby. Thus 11 years of trial and tragedy, effort and frustration fulminated in this great victory when it seemed, as in the semi-final in Madrid, that the deck was stacked against them. They won 4-1. And what a victory it was. They were taken to extra time by Benfica but in seven minutes the Portuguese were crushed by three goals. Those three goals came at a time when all the power and grace of Benfica's forwards - each one an international - had put them back in the game with a goal ten minutes from time by Graca that nullified Bobby Charlton's scored 27 minutes earlier. What finer player could there be to score United's first goal than Bobby Charlton. This was his first goal in European Cup football since the previous, and up to now greatest, triumph of United - against Benfica in the Stadium of Light two years ago. It also fell to him to score the last. And in between was a goal taken as coolly as on the practice pitch by Best and one from Kidd to celebrate fittingly this his nineteenth birthday. But goals apart this again was a great triumph of teamwork and team spirit. Every player gave his all from Stepney, who three times was United's saviour against the powerful shooting of Eusebio, to Foulkes, who has missed only three of United's matches in their 11 years of waiting for this supreme moment. And there was too the covering of the backs, the prompting of Crerand and the sight of Aston enjoying himself on the wing, and Best so often cruelly hacked down in full flight. This indeed was a match to remember, though it started slowly, for tension was so acute and the reward so great. But once the first nervous tension had been relieved the match blossomed. The fuse was lit by Charlton's first goal. And it could so easily have been lost by United between the eightieth and the ninetieth minutes. For then one saw the greatness of Eusebio and the rest of this national Portuguese forward line. It was then United's defence creaked and Eusebio was able to exploit it. But three goals between the third and ninth minutes of extra time put out the spark. In ten minutes Benfica went from a team in command to a team in defeat - and they knew it. Do United carry on where Celtic left off last season after bringing the Cup to Britain for the first time. One further honour can come United's way. They will meet Estudiantes of La Plata, a side from Argentina, who are the South American champions, for the World Club Championship. One can only hope it will not be as ill fated as Celtic's escapades in Argentina and Montevideo last year. Stakes were so high, and the tension so great, that the first half was one of attack in every sense of the word. Some of the tackles were harsh in the extreme. The worst to suffer was Best, as was to be expected, Coluna, who was brought down by Sadler, and Crerand, who was felled by, of all people, Eusebio, who went into him with all the power of his body after 35 minutes. United in the first half certainly took the attack to Benfica. It is there that United have their flair. And it was, as Otto Gloria, Benfica's manager said it would be - the speed of United which could upset his side. "They all go forward and they all come back," he said, "and the speed could upset my team." So it seemed. Crerand fed the attack astutely, and Aston, in particular, capitalised on it, for Adolfo did not seem to know quite how to take him. One thing Benfica knew was that they had to stop Best. Cruz was detailed as the chief hatchet man. At least half a dozen times in the first half Best was hurled to the turf. It was crude, perhaps; it certainly was effective. And for another foul on Best, Humberto had his name taken. But for all the free kicks which were conceded by Benfica just outside the penalty area from these infringements, United could not capitalise. The rear four men of Benfica combine so well and their power is shown by the fact that until the final, they had conceded only two goals. United went close on several occasions. As early as the third minute Crerand's free kick floated over, but Sadler could only claw down the ball with his boot and push it straight to Henrique. Aston and Charlton combined again, and for a second time Sandler was the culprit. The move developed with return passes with Kidd, but Sadler, in a good position, shot wide. Benfica like to build up their moves slowly, with care and precision. And, as Benfica had to watch Best, so United had to watch Torres, the tall centre-forward with a great gift, not only of scoring goals but making them with his head. And, of course, there was Eusebio policed, as is now customary, by Stiles. United knew full well the power of Eusebio's shooting. And in the eleventh minute he demonstrated it admirably. One of the best of Benfica's moves developed between Graca and Torres, and the ball was swept out to Eusebio, lurking on the right wing . Eusebio took the ball into his stride and hammered in a shot which made Stepney's cross-bar twang like a bow string. Foulkes was detailed to watch Torres, and in his handling of him he was penalised several times. From one free kick, just outside the penalty area, one of Eusebio's especially fierce shots was deflected off the wall of United's defenders, and Stepney did well to gather it. For so long it had seemed that this match would be a stalemate. Each side knew so much about the other from previous encounters. United had , last night, six of the side who plucked the feathers from the tail of the Eagles of Lisbon in that 5-1 triumph two years ago. But the second half blossomed into an exciting encounter. And who could be neutral on a night like this. Aston was enjoying himself on the left wing. As the second half opened he sent in one shot which Henrique failed to hold with his hands but smothered with his body. Moments later, Aston crashed in another shot. But the real drama was reserved for Bobby Charlton. His goal in the 53rd minute set the game aflame and the crowd almost hysterical with delight. A move developed down the left. Over came Sadler's crossfield pass: up went Bobby Charlton to glide the ball with his head, into the far corner of the net. It was the first goal Bobby Charlton had scored in a European Cup tie since that memorable night in Lisbon two years ago. Last night's goal was just as brilliantly taken, but this time it was more crucial. Having conceded this goal, meant, of course that Benfica had to attack with all the power at their command, and that is considerable. Every member of this forward line played against England in the World Cup semi-final at Wembley two years ago. But, in concentrating on attack, they left a defence thinly stretched, and once Best was right through only for Henrique to race from his goal and slide the ball away. yards outside his penalty area. Now it was Eusebio's turn, and back came Aston to thwart him. Benfica seemed just a little jaded as their attempts to neutralise United's goal were swept away. It was understandable, perhaps, for the best they had produced was not good enough. United had one anxious moment midway through the second half when the wily Simoes turned on all his grace to send over a looping centre to Torres, but the ball again was prodded away from him by Dunne, who was having a splendid match in United's defence. But this was United's night. They would not be denied. Back they stormed, and Kidd, on this his 19th birthday, might well have had a chance to celebrate it with a goal, but he was brought down by Humberto. Best, with a shrug of the hips and a twinkle of the toes, made a mockery of any preconceived plans to mark him. In the last ten minutes he burst through and shot,. Henrique blocked that shot, which went to Sadler, and this time Henrique's body was in the way. But this Benfica side are vastly experienced in European Cup football. And in finals, too. This was their fifth final, and, nine minutes from the end all their experience showed. They drew level with a goal by Graca. Augusto sent over the ball Torres nodded it down and Eusebio, full of guile, deceived the defence with him. It opened up the gap for Graca, who, with only a narrow angle of the goal to aim at, shot and scored. United's defence, which had held the twin threat of Eusebio and Torres so well, began to creak. And Eusebio, one of the finest forwards in Europe, was just the man to exploit it. Twice he burst through in the closing minutes, and twice Stepney saved his shots, the last a fierce one from close range. And, though Best once again wriggled through, the match was destined for extra time. No more dramatic opening to extra time could be imagined. United swept forward and twice in two minutes they scored. I the third minute, Stepney's clearance was headed on by Kidd to Best. And here was Best seen at his most brilliant. He took the ball round the defenders, and round the goalkeeper too, before popping it in the net. Then it was Kidd's turn. This came in the fifth minute. Sadler had a part in that goal. The first attempt at a header was beaten out by Henrique, but back it came for Kidd to head in. And United were not finished. One shot bounced on the bar before, in the tenth minute, Bobby Charlton scored again, and the creator of this goal was Kidd. It was Kidd's pass which Charlton turned into the net to complete the discomfiture of Benfica, who surely did not know quite what had hit them in this sudden burst of attacking play. Manchester United: Stepney, Brennan, Dunne, Crerand, Foulkes, Stiles, Best, Kidd, Charlton, Sadler, Aston. Benfica: Henrique, Adolfo, Humberto, Jacinto, Cruz, Graca, Coluna, Augusto, Torres, Eusebio, Simoes. Referee: C. La Bello (Italy) Reference: guardian.co.uk

Fact: DO NOT refer our club as Man U

We are UNITED, MAN UTD, MANCHESTER UNITED, RED DEVILS. But Not 'Man U' Have you noticed that quite a number of United fans refer Manchester United as Man U. Do you know that calling United as Man U is like calling an African American nigger. (just an example, no offence to the African American). This is the information taken from official United forum under the legend thread. Right Folks here we go once again and for all....... Man U is not a term real/ true United fans refer themselves to... Why??? This term is mostly only used by other supporters as a complete and utter insult. In case anyone on this board is not aware rival supporters used to sing a song about Munich and it goes Man U Man U went on a plane Man U Man U never came back again... Now if thats not getting your blood boiling nothing will..I started this thread way last year because after being on the board for some time I found more and more people refering to us as THAT name. We are UNITED, MAN UTD, MANCHESTER UNITED, RED DEVILS. We do not have any songs with THAT name in them nor will you be able to buy any official merchandice using that term, it is not printed on any scarves or badges, also I was at the Reading game and there is no way did that song ring out around the ground. Now I have been a "United" supporter all my life I am 44 and have never used that phrase to describe the name of my team. It even has annoyed me to write about the song with the name in it, but thought I had to just to get my point over to people who have never heard it (real United fans forgive me please ) You don’t use the phrase Man C Leeds U Aston V etc etc So dont use M** *. Like the song goes Theres Only One United so people will know who you support when using this term..All said whenever someone calls us M** * I simply correct them.. And I think this should be implimented on this board..So come on lads lets educate the ones that need it and keep That name away form our club and this board..The term Utd is the proper abbreviation for the word United and nothing else..Why can some people not just accept this and getover themselves....and if anyone can remember the Scousers chanting and it pains me even to type this but for educations sake. Man U Never Intended Coming Home (notice the first letter of each word from the phrase means MUNICH) Hope true United fans will stop refering United as Man U Remember: We are UNITED, MAN UTD, MANCHESTER UNITED, RED DEVILS. But Not 'Man U'

Champions League: Roll of Honour

Finals from 44 years of European competition. 1956 REAL MADRID 4 - 3 Reims 1957 REAL MADRID 2 - 0 Fiorentina 1958 REAL MADRID 3 - 2 AC Milan (aet) 1959 REAL MADRID 2 - 0 Reims 1960 REAL MADRID 7 - 3 Eintracht Frankfurt 1961 BENFICA 3 - 2 Barcelona 1962 BENFICA 5 - 3 Real Madrid 1963 AC MILAN 2 - 1 Benfica 1964 INTERNAZIONALE 3 - 1 Real Madrid 1965 INTERNAZIONALE 1 - 0 Benfica 1966 REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Partizan Belgrade 1967 CELTIC 2 - 1 Internazionale 1968 MANCHESTER UNITED 4 - 1 Benfica (aet) 1969 AC MILAN 4 - 1 Ajax 1970 FEYENOORD 2 - 1 Celtic (aet) 1971 AJAX 2 - 0 Panathinaikos 1972 AJAX 2 - 0 Internazionale 1973 AJAX 1 - 0 Juventus 1974 BAYERN MUNICH 4 - 0 Atletico Madrid (replay, after 1-1 draw) 1975 BAYERN MUNICH 2 - 0 Leeds United 1976 BAYERN MUNICH 1 - 0 St Etienne 1977 LIVERPOOL 3 - 1 Borussia Moenchengladbach 1978 LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 Brugge 1979 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 - 0 Malmo 1980 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 - 0 Hamburg 1981 LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 Real Madrid 1982 ASTON VILLA 1 - 0 Bayern Munich 1983 HAMBURG 1 - 0 Juventus 1984 LIVERPOOL 1 - 1 Roma (aet, Liverpool won 4 - 2 on penalties) 1985 JUVENTUS 1 - 0 Liverpool 1986 STEAUA BUCHAREST 0 - 0 Barcelona (aet, Steaua won 2 - 0 on penalties) 1987 PORTO 2 - 1 Bayern Munich 1988 PSV EINDHOVEN 0 - 0 Benfica (aet, PSV won 6 - 5 on penalties) 1989 AC MILAN 4 - 0 Steaua Bucharest 1990 AC MILAN 1 - 0 Benfica 1991 RED STAR BELGRADE 0 - 0 Marseille (aet, Red Star won 5 - 3 on penalties) 1992 BARCELONA 1 - 0 Sampdoria (aet) 1993 MARSEILLE 1 - 0 AC Milan (Marseille subsequently stripped of title) 1994 AC MILAN 4 - 0 Barcelona 1995 AJAX 1 - 0 AC Milan 1996 JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Ajax (Juventus won 4 - 2 on penalites) 1997 BORUSSIA DORTMUND 3 - 1 Juventus 1998 REAL MADRID 1 - 0 Juventus 1999 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 1 Bayern Munich 2000 REAL MADRID 3 - 0 Valencia 2001 BAYERN MUNICH 1 - 1 Valencia (aet, Bayern won 5-4 on penalties) 2002 REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2003 AC MILAN 0 - 0 Juventus (AC Milan won 3-2 on penalties) 2004 AS Monaco FC 0 - 3 FC PORTO 2005 AC Milan 3 - 3 LIVERPOOL (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties) 2006 Arsenal 1 - 2 BARCELONA Reference: guardian.co.uk

Manchester United richest team, worth US$1.453 billion.

Despite having only the fourth-highest annual revenue at US$310 million ($233 million), United is reported by the American business magazine to be worth US$1.453 billion. Real Madrid is ranked second at US$1.036 billion ($779 million), but has the highest revenue of US$374 million ($281 million). Arsenal is the third most valuable at US$915 million ($687.5 million), but its revenue of US$246 million ($185 million) is only ninth overall. Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, FC Barcelona and Schalke round out the top 10. Man United was one of 10 English teams in the top 25, with four each from Italy and Germany, two from Spain, France and Scotland, and one from the Netherlands. Barcelona star Ronaldinho moved to the top of the richest soccer player list, relegating David Beckham to second. The Brazilian is worth US$29.5 million ($23.5 million), according to Forbes, with Beckham at US$29.1 million ($25.2 million). Beckham is likely to go back to the top spot when he moves to the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer this summer. The top 10 is rounded out by Ronaldo (AC Milan), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Zinedine Zidane (retired), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), John Terry (Chelsea), and Steven Gerrard (Liverpool). Forbes used revenues and operating income for the 2005-06 season and converted the figure into U.S. dollars based on June 30, 2006, exchange rates. Reference: eitb24.com

Manchester United Fact File

Record attendance: 76,018 vs Wigan 26/12/2006 (83,260 for United v Arsenal at Maine Road in 1948) Record league win: 10-1 v Wolves 15/10/1892 Division 1 Record league defeat: 0-7 v Blackburn 10/4/1926 Division 1 Record league appearances: 606 Sir Bobby Charlton 1956/73 Record league goalscorer: 199 Sir Bobby Charlton 1956/73 Record transfer fee received: £25, 000 000 for David Beckham to Real Madrid July 2003 Record transfer fee paid: £30,000 000 for Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United July 2002 References: squidoo.com, sporting-heroes.net

Could Ryan Giggs Silence the Kop in his 700th appearance

Last October, Paul Scholes marked his 500th appearance in Reds' shirt by scoring the goal that effectively knocked Liverpool out of the title race before the clocks go back. Could Ryan Giggs make the same headline in his 700th appearance when United entertain The Kop at Anfield on Saturday... The Welsh winger is second in the club's list of all time appearance-makers and is fast approaching Sir Bobby Charlton's record total of 759. When the Reds line up at Anfield on Saturday, it will be 16 years and a day since the United winger made his debut against Everton in the old first division. How fitting it would be if, on his 700th appearance, he also struck his 100th league goal. Click Here To View Ryan Giggs Statistics Sources: redcafe.net, manutd.com, bbc.co.uk, sporting-heroes.net

Quick Facts about Manchester United

Nickname: The Red Devils - others might call Fans the 'Glory Hunters' Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson - The World's Greatest Manager ™ Ground: Old Trafford - The Theatre of Dreams. Key Players: Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs, Scholes. Interesting: One of the richest club in the world. Redefined the meaning of Great Escape in 1999 by winning the European Cup. Former famous players include George Best, Bobby Charlton, Eric Cantona (The King, Kung Fu Cantona)