Manchester United has come a long, long way since their humble beginnings as a works team for the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway depot back in 1878. Riding out the vagaries of fortune over its first 130 years, ‘Man U’ has done so much more than simply keep pace with the growth of the global game. It has risen all the way to the top to become arguably the most popular club in the world and its estimated supporter base of more than 330 million fans accounts for almost five percent of the planet’s population. We Are United: an unauthorized story on Manchester United will take viewers on a roller-coaster ride through the peaks and troughs of the Man U story – from the second division struggles of the 1920s and the Post-War glory days of Matt Busby’s reign to the heart-rending tragedy of the Munich Air Disaster and the long haul back to the top with the help of Bobby Charlton and the sport’s first superstar, George Best. Then on to the relegation, the hooligans and the disappointing form of flamboyant manager Ron Atkinson, whose sacking made way for Alex Ferguson and the rise and rise of the Red Devils, not only in terms of on-field success, but also as an entrepreneurial powerhouse. The brand equity and net worth of Manchester United has meant that some of the biggest names and global superstars of the game have played for this powerhouse football club. From Best to Charlton, Beckham to Ronaldo, the media can’t get enough of these talented and popular stars. With never-ending expansions at Old Trafford, its own TV station and a merchandising empire worth millions, Manchester United really does look set to take over the universe.
