Holding the title of English football’s most illustrious club inevitably comes with a slew of feats that very few will ever come close to matching – but just what are the Manchester United records that might not ever be smashed?
New Manchester United Era Beckons, But Will Any Old Record Fall?
As a new dawn peaks over the horizon at Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim’s arrival, the new manager will be hoping to restore the silverware-hungry juggernaut of football years gone by.
Man United as an institution is inherently successful, and although clubs have threatened to come close to their level of success, the lion’s share of English top-flight records belong to them.
But which records do the Red Devils hold that may never be broken? Here, SportsCasting takes a look.
87 Years of Having Academy Graduates in the Squad
Dating back to 30th October 1937, Manchester United have had an academy graduate in every single matchday squad since – a staggering run of 87 years.
United’s enduring reputation for nurturing youth has evolved throughout the decades; from fielding almost an entire team of youth products post-Munich Air Disaster, to the iconic class of ’92.
“It hasn’t been manufactured or, indeed, something we were conscious of. It’s just the way things are done here,” said Director of Academy Nick Cox.
Fewest Goals Conceded at Home in a Single Season
Manchester United incredibly conceded just four goals at Old Trafford throughout the 1994/95 campaign – which also happened to be the final 42-game season.
Despite their iron-clad defensive record on home soil, Blackburn Rovers prevailed as title winners that year by a solitary point after a breathtaking run-in.
Just four goals conceded at home but a total of 24 on the road – including a fatal one against West Ham on the final day to relinquish their grip on the title – meant their record stands in vain.
Longest Unbeaten Run Away From Home in the Premier League
Manchester United’s covid-stricken 2020/21 campaign saw them set a new record for the longest unbeaten run away from home in the Premier League.
Although it wasn’t enough to pip neighbours Manchester City to the title that year, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed to mastermind a 29-game unbeaten run on the road.
In doing so they also became only the fourth side to remain unbeaten away from home across an entire top-flight season.
Longest Run Without Conceding a Goal in the Premier League
The 2008/09 season saw Manchester United fare slightly better than the aforementioned 1994/95 campaign, and they even had another dizzying defensive record to match.
Between November 15th and February 18th, Edwin van Der Sar managed to keep 14 consecutive clean sheets, setting a record for the longest run without conceding a goal – a total of 1,113 minutes – which still stands today.
The Dutchman would go on to register 21 clean sheets that season – just three shy of Petr Cech’s all-time record set three years earlier.
Three-Peat, Not Once But Twice
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City may have become the first side to win four consecutive top-flight titles, but their neighbours still hold an almighty feat when it comes to winning the league trophy on the bounce.
In the years between 1998 and 2001, and then again between 2006 and 2009, Manchester United achieved a three-peat of league titles on two separate occasions.
Fewest Points to Win a League Title
This next Manchester United record is one perhaps not to shout about too loudly, but one that will take some breaking.
Title winners now must aspire to hit at least 90 points or more if they are to clinch the league, but the 1996/97 campaign saw United win with a mere 75 points.
Such was the competitiveness of the league that year that Liverpool, Arsenal and runners-up Newcastle all finished on 68 points – just seven off champions United.
It is interesting to note that all three relegated teams finished with 34 points or more – for reference, the most any relegated side achieved last season was 26, highlighting the growing gap between the elite and those at the foot of the table.
Most Premier League Titles
Manchester United have lifted 13 Premier League titles, which is five more than the next-nearest Manchester City who are slowly but surely catching up to their neighbours.
It has been over a decade since United last won a Premier League title, which has handed their serial-winning city rivals a free run at closing the gap.
Longest Unbeaten Run By an English Side in the Champions League
Although another of their eternal rivals Liverpool are the most successful English side in Europe, Manchester United still hold the longest unbeaten run in the continent’s elite club competition.
From 2007 to 2009 – a period in which they lifted the Champions League and reached another final – United went 25 games unbeaten.
Haven’t Lost a Home Game When Leading at Half-time Since 1984
Last, but certainly by no means least, Manchester United have managed to keep an astonishing home record intact since 1984.
When leading at half-time at Old Trafford, they have not gone on to lose – a record that has stood since a defeat to Ipswich on May 7th 1984.
