The crest of Manchester United Football Club remains one of the most instantly recognisable symbols in the global game – from Salford to Shanghai, from hardcore fans assessing the best new Bettingoffers to those with only a passing interest in the game, few would have trouble identifying this sporting emblem.
From its humble beginnings to its global stature, the crest has evolved alongside the club, reflecting its triumphs, struggles, and enduring legacy. However, in the early years, there was no crest at all. Look back at the old kits from the late 1800s and early 1900s, and you will find an array of charmingly simplistic creations – the vast majority of which lacked a crest of any kind, barring sporadic appearances in 1908/09 and 1947/48.
It was, in fact, only in the 1972/73 season that the mighty crest first took up permanent residence on the United shirt, and there it has remained ever since. But what is the inspiration behind the design? Here, we look at each element of the modern crest in turn.
The Ship: At the top of the crest sits a ship, symbolizing Manchester’s maritime heritage. Despite being inland, Manchester was once a thriving port due to the Manchester Ship Canal. The ship represents the city’s trading prowess and industrial roots. For some, the ship has also come to signify the global reach of Manchester United, with supporters and players hailing from all corners of the world. Interestingly, modes of transport have a historic relationship with the club. One of the early Green and Yellow (remembered in future away strips) club crests of Newton Heath (the club from which Manchester United grew) featured a steam train.
The Red Devil: Dominating the centre of the crest is the iconic Red Devil – synonymous with Manchester United since the 1960s. This symbol was adopted after the legendary manager Matt Busby remarked that the all-red kit “makes us look like devils.” Whilst used since the 60s as a nickname, the Devil first appeared on the strip as part of the crest in 1972.
The Football: An element which really shouldn’t need much explanation. Nestled within the banner on either side of the Red Devil lies a pair of footballs, signifying the primary focus and essence of the club.
The Banner: Surrounding the ship and devil is a banner with the club’s name, “Manchester United Football Club.” Again, this needs little explanation and has remained largely unaltered for over 50 years.
The Red Colour: The predominant colour of the crest is red, which has been associated with the club ever since Newton Heath introduced their first Red and White strip in 1887. Barring a brief early return to Green and Yellow in the late 19th century, Red has remained constant in the club’s attire and identity.
The Yellow Accents: The yellow accents add contrast and vibrancy to the crest and stem from the three yellow stripes of the Manchester coat of arms – representing the rivers Irk, Irwell and Medlock.
The Shield Shape: A common feature in football crests and the coats of arms from which many draw inspiration. Historically, the shield symbolizes strength, protection, and tradition – all noble traits for a football club.
The Bee: Whilst not strictly a part of the crest, you may have spotted a bumble bee on various Manchester United strips. Those from Manchester may be well aware of the bee’s origins, but for those who aren’t in the know, the worker bee is a symbol of the city of Manchester and its hard-working industrial past. Often referred to as being a hive of activity during the Industrial Revolution, Manchester workers came to be known as busy bees.
