60 Years Since Reds' Euro Debut

Manchester United played in European competition for the very first time 60 years ago today (Monday).

On 12 September 1956, the Reds travelled to Belgium to take on Anderlecht and fulfill an ambition of manager Sir Matt Busby. The Scot was passionate about the opportunity to extend the reach of the game but the domestic ruling bodies - the FA and Football League Management Committee - opposed the notion of the European Cup.

"Football has become a world game," explained Busby at the time. "It no longer belongs exclusively to England, Scotland and the British Isles. This is where the future of the game lies."

Busby pushed for United's inclusion in Europe and, after it was discovered that the authorities could not legally block entry, the team were able to show their skills to a wider audience on the continent.

The journey to Brussels resulted in a 2-0 win for the Reds, ahead of a club-record 10-0 success in the second leg at City's Maine Road with the floodlights not yet ready to function at Old Trafford.

The first leg at Astrid Park proved to be a tough examination as the match unfolded in an exciting new environment. The Guardian wrote: "It was a scene of unforgettable beauty as the game started with the pitch flooded in cool, silvery light and the dark, beady eyes of the pink-faced hosts peering out from the stands and terraces. It all gave a peculiar sense of theatre."

Dennis Viollet opened the scoring in the first half with a powerful drive and Tommy Taylor doubled the lead by heading in a David Pegg cross, after previously having a goal disallowed. Martin Lippens missed a penalty when hitting the woodwork and United, with keeper Ray Wood in excellent form, were able to take a two-goal lead back to Manchester.

Anderlecht 0 Manchester United 2
Astrid Park | European Cup preliminary round 1st leg | 12 September 1956
United: Wood, Foulkes, Byrne, Colman, Jones, Blanchflower, Berry, Whelan, Taylor, Viollet, Pegg.
Scorers: Viollet, Taylor. Attendance: 35,000.