Manchester united formed in the 1878 as newton heath lyr fc, by the humble artisans, working men attached to the works team of the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway football team from the depot at newton heath. In 1892 joined the football league. In 1893 they moved to Bank st, Clayton, dropping the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway.
1882, newton heath joined the football league top tier, division 1 whilst Ardwick were the founding members of the 2nd division.
1894, Ardwick went bust due to financial irregularies (corruption) and man city formed.
Its true city won the first trophy, fa cup 1904 but they didn’t win their first of their only 2 league titles in 1936.
United won the title in 1908 and 1911. The fa cup in 1909, long before city’s next offering. United’s next trophy was the fa cup in 1948 with city taking their first title in 1937 with the fa cup in 1934. Titles during the war years cannot count and don’t.
City’s next and only title came in 1968. United winning it five times before them.
To say united fell away in the 70’s is economical with the truth as city won their last ever trophy in 1976 being the “then” small time cup. Since city’s last trophy united went on to 3 fa cup finals in the 70’s winning 1. They also won the cup in 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1999 and 2004.
The real team who tried to buy success are the “massives” who 3 times in the 80’s smashed the 1 million pound barrier and later spent over 2 million pounds on Keith curle.
City has been a poor side since the late sixes and early seventies. In 1992 man city got what they wanted, peter swales, who the hated and abused. Swales always made money available to a succession of managers that didn’t cut the mustard.
United are the biggest supported club in Manchester with city’s main support coming from the small townships around the Manchester area, mainly Stockport.
I am glad to clear this up for you danbert but you being a red would already know this.