Back to the Manchester United Newsfeed

Law, Charlton... and cigarette lighters: When beating Leicester in the FA Cup final changed the history of Manchester United

When Manchester United have to wait for trophies, the FA Cup usually comes to their rescue. It’s a trend that started in 1963 when Sir Matt Busby’s team beat Leicester City 3-1 to win their first prize post-Munich and triggered the birth of the modern United with unprecedented success and millions of followers all over the world.

‘It gave us the confidence to go on and win league titles and the European Cup,’ recalls Paddy Crerand who was man-of-the-match at Wembley and received a cigarette lighter as his award.

‘There are comparisons with Fergie’s team later on.