Why are Manchester United Called the Red Devils?

Why are Manchester United Called the Red Devils?

Man United needs next to no introduction, so I'll try and keep this brief.

Without doubt, United are one of the world's biggest, most successful and most recognisable football clubs. In fact, they're so famous that even 12 years of anguish and declining performances have made little impact on their overall global reach, where they are still one of the most devotedly followed clubs.

The club have put together an incredible haul of trophies over the years, the highlights including 20 top-flight titles, three Champions Leagues and 13 FA Cups, with periods of dominance across the 50s and later in the 90s and 2000s.

Even their slogan is one of the best in world football: 'Hated, Adored, Never Ignored'.

Considering the massive fame of the club, it's interesting that, beyond those living in Manchester, the origins of their nickname are less well-known. Manchester United are referred to as the Red Devils, one of the most famous nicknames in football. These guys have really got their image locked down, haven't they?

So why has the club adopted this title?

The Busby Babes

You'll be well aware of the legendary Class of 92, where a group of homegrown academy products broke into the Man United first team and went on to dominate European football for almost two decades.

Well, this wasn't the first time United's academy produced a set of stars at once. In fact, the blueprint was set in the 1950s by chief scout Joe Armstrong, assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, and the legendary manager Sir Matt Busby.

The Busby Babes are one of football's most tragic tales. The group of talented young players won back-to-back league titles in 1956 and 1957 and, with an average age of just 22 years old, were tipped to dominate Europe for years.

They had established themselves as an irresistible footballing team and a squad of formidable strength, features which were represented best through Duncan Edwards, only for disaster to take them away before their time.

The 1958 Munich Air Disaster is a moment mourned by Manchester United and football fans across the world as one of the saddest moments the sport has ever seen, when 23 lives were taken, including eight first-team players.

United were forced to rebuild their club from the ground, all while mourning, but were offered help by rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, as well as Real Madrid raising money to go to Man Utd, in shows of solidarity that represent the best of what football brings us.

A New Identity

Following on from the tragedy, Busby was left with the task of bringing the club back to the level of success it was just starting to achieve, despite the threat of folding the side completely looming large.

He initially brought in players from other sides, including five loanees from Liverpool, but it was clear to Busby that he couldn't get by with just new players; Manchester United needed a new identity.

The manager looked north of Stretford to find Salford Rugby Club, who had been branded with a nickname after a successful tour in France in the 1930s: Les Diables Rouges.

Translated to English, Salford went by the Red Devils, owing to their dominance on the field and their striking red kit, and they had earned the nickname from local journalists in the city.

Busby viewed the name with a sense of admiration for its strength and intimidation and opted to adopt the name for his side. This transition of identity was completed with the aim of reflecting the grit and resilience that Man United had displayed in the aftermath of the disaster, leaving behind the term 'Busby Babes' out of respect for those who had passed.

Looking to build a more threatening and aggressive team, this new name was ideal for Busby's vision, as it sent a message of determination to the rest of English football, as well as offering a fresh start for the new era of Manchester United.

They haven't looked back since - winning a grand total of 18 top-flight titles in their time, the REd Devils became a feared side across England and Europe, and while they are a far cry from their peak, a visit to the Theatre of Dreams is always daunting, particularly if United are in a devilish mood.