United Beyond Manchester

As another Champions League rolls on without Manchester United, we take a look back at United’s first-ever appearance in the competition. In the 1956-1957 season, Sir Matt Busby led Manchester United to the Semi-Finals in what was then called the European Cup.

Manchester United qualified for the European Cup Preliminary Round by winning the First Division title. The club’s first opponent in Europe was Anderlecht. Thomas Taylor and Dennis Violett scored in Belgium to give the Reds a 2-0 lead on aggregate before the home match. Since Old Trafford did not have floodlights, the home match was played at Maine Road. A 2-0 advantage turned into a 12-0 advantage as Matt Busby’s side demolished Anderlecht by double digits to make it into the First Round.

Manchester United hosted Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the First Round. Having scored five times against Anderlecht, Dennis Violett netted twice more in a United 3-2 win. In the return leg, United held Dortmund to a 0-0 draw to advance in the competition.

Athletic Bilbao hosted the Reds in the Quarterfinal first leg. The Spanish side put five past Ray Wood and took the first leg 5-3. However, a 3-0 home victory from United sent them through to face another Spanish side, Real Madrid.

Having lost in Spain against Bilbao, United lost again, this time against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Semi-Finals. Matt Busby’s side were unable to rebound and win the tie this time as a 2-2 draw sent Madrid through to the final. Despite the loss, a young player named Bobby Charlton scored his first European goal in the draw.

Tommy Taylor and Dennis Violett combined for 17 goals in the eight games in the competition to lead the way for the club. Matt Busby and his squad exceeded expectations to reach the European Cup Semi-Finals in its first appearance. The successes of the club that season helped to establish the club on the world stage.

We can only hope that more Champions League success will come to Old Trafford in the coming years.