1956 FA Cup Final: Manchester United vs Birmingham City
Manchester United's 1956 FA Cup victory: the second before Munich.
The 1956 FA Cup Final was a football match between Manchester United and Birmingham City. The actual score was Manchester United 3–1 Birmingham City.
- Date
- 4 May 1956
- Venue
- Wembley Stadium, London
- Competition
- FA Cup Final
- Opponent
- Birmingham City
- Result
- Manchester United 3–0 Birmingham City
- Manager
- Matt Busby
Lore & Background
Manchester United had won the FA Cup only twice before the Munich air disaster of 1958: in 1909 and 1948. The 1956 win was the club's third FA Cup title overall, but only the second before Munich.
In Their Own Story
The rain had barely cleared from the Wembley turf before the roar began. In the stands, scarves waved like red flags against the grey London sky. Inside the tunnel, young legs bounced with nervous energy, but their eyes held the fire of belief instilled by Busby. As they stepped onto the pitch, the weight of Manchester was on their shoulders, yet the ball felt light in their feet.
Reader's Guide
The match took place at Wembley Stadium. Manchester United's victory in 1956 came during a period when the club, managed by Matt Busby, won back-to-back league titles in 1956 and 1957 with a young squad nicknamed the Busby Babes.
Did You Know?
- Manchester United's first FA Cup win was in 1909.
- The club's second FA Cup win was in 1948.
- The 1956 FA Cup Final was the third FA Cup win for Manchester United overall.
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