Bulgaria

Bulgaria Overview

Manchester United's Bulgarian striker Di

Berbatov thought he would die during kidnapping

Former Manchester United and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has relived a frightening ordeal from the very early days of his career back home in Bulgaria, when he believed he was being kidnapped by a rival club and might be threatened with violence if he refused to join them. The situation was eventually resolved without that happening, but it made him realise he needed to grow up fast.

Spain v Bulgaria - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

A sign of what's to come? Spain match record set by World Cup-winning team

The Spain national team equalled their record of 29 unbeaten games in competitive matches following a dominant 4-0 victory over Bulgaria yesterday. Luis de la Fuente’s side matched the milestone previously set by Vicente del Bosque’s World Cup-winning Spain team, with Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scoring twice to seal the win. Spain achieved the result despite the absence of key players such as Lamine Yamal and captain Alvaro Morata.

Spain v Bulgaria - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Merino grabs brace as Spain edge towards World Cup

Mikel Merino was Spain's difference-maker as the Arsenal star scored two headed goals to fire La Roja to an emphatic 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Bulgaria at the Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla. Debutant Atanas Chernev put through his own net to all but secure the result, before Mikel Oyarzabal struck home a stoppage-time penalty to round off the scoring. The result edges Spain closer to history, marking their 29th competitive game unbeaten - equalling the record of their world champion generation.

Manchester United v Arsenal - Premier League

'Mr Manchester United' passes away aged 62 as club honour fan

A man famously named 'Mr Manchester United' has passed away aged 62, it has been confirmed. The Bulgarian construction worker previously known as Marin Zdravkov Lavidzhov had his name legally changed to Manchester United and became iconic for having the club crest tattooed to his forehead. He was inspired to support the Red Devils following their dramatic victory in the 1999 Champions League final, which secured the treble under Sir Alex Ferguson, and was a super-fan ever since.

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Standings

Super League crestSuper League

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
3Manchester United crestManchester United29149651401151
L
W
W
D
W
4Aston Villa crestAston Villa2915683934551
L
L
D
W
D
5Chelsea crestChelsea29139753341948
W
L
D
D
W
6Liverpool crestLiverpool2914694839948
L
W
W
W
L
7Brentford crestBrentford29135114440444
D
W
L
D
W
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History

Manchester United, often simply referred to as "United," are one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in the world, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. The club was founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath. The team changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to its current home, Old Trafford, in 1910.

Famous players

Manchester United have been home to some of the greatest footballers in history. Sir Bobby Charlton, a World Cup winner with England in 1966, is arguably the most iconic figure in the club's history. Other legendary players include George Best, known for his flair and skill, and Eric Cantona, who brought a winning mentality to the club during the 1990s. More recent stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Paul Scholes have also contributed significantly to the club's success.

Honours

Manchester United are one of the most decorated clubs in English football, having won a record 20 Premier League titles (formerly the First Division). They have also lifted the FA Cup 12 times, the League Cup five times, and the UEFA Champions League three times. The club's dominance in English football was particularly evident during the 1990s and early 2000s under manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Managers

Sir Alex Ferguson is undoubtedly the most successful manager in Manchester United's history. He spent 26 years at the club, leading them to an unprecedented era of success. Before Ferguson, managers like Matt Busby and Wilf McGuinness played crucial roles in shaping the club's identity. More recent managers, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and José Mourinho, have faced the challenge of maintaining the club's high standards.

Stadium

Old Trafford, often referred to as the "Theatre of Dreams," is one of the most famous stadiums in the world. With a capacity of roughly 75,000, it is among the largest football stadiums in the United Kingdom. The stadium has hosted numerous major matches, including UEFA Champions League finals and FIFA World Cup matches.

Location

Manchester United are based in the city of Manchester, which is located in the northwest of England. The club's home ground, Old Trafford, is situated in the Trafford borough. Manchester is a major industrial city with a rich footballing heritage.

Owners

In February 2024, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's company, INEOS, acquired a significant 25% stake in Manchester United. This acquisition granted Ratcliffe sporting control over the club, placing him in a position to influence key decisions related to its operations.

Ratcliffe has already made a substantial financial commitment to Manchester United. His large investments demonstrate his dedication to the club's success and his willingness to provide the necessary resources for its growth.

Frequently asked questions

You can access Wembley Stadium using public transportation. You can travel to Wembley via London Underground services at either Wembley Park or Central stations.

No parking facilities are available to the public at Wembley Stadium, with fans strongly encouraged to travel to the ground via public transportation or on foot.

If neither option is viable, you can park at one of several Q-Park facilities across London or explore the additional parking options recommended by Wembley Stadium.

You should arrive well before kick-off to fully soak in a matchday experience at Wembley Stadium, with plenty to do around the ground ahead of the game.

Gates typically open to ticket holders two hours before kick-off for football fixtures, though timings will vary depending on the event. Ensure you are briefed before arrival, and give yourself plenty of time to get to Wembley Stadium.

You can book a guided tour of Wembley Stadium through the Stadium's official tours website.

Tours are offered all year round and come in multiple formats, allowing you to find the one that is right for you.

You are unlikely to be able to purchase Wembley Stadium tickets at the box office for most events on matchdays, given the high demand for fixtures, though some games may offer a select number of tickets.

While most ticket offices will typically sell a few tickets, most sales are traditionally handled online.

While most Premier League grounds have sections specifically reserved for family-friendly options, Wembley Stadium does not have a designated family-friendly area for events. 

While some sporting events will offer specific areas, others - in particular concerts - will carry age restrictions, making the need for such areas redundant.

For football matches and England games, often there is a family enclosure with cheaper tickets, typically in the upper tier.

Yes, Wembley Stadium has a roof.

This roof is retractable, which means it can cover all the seats when it's used. Whilst some of the stadium will still be open, it provides cover for every seat. 

As the biggest national stadium and home to the England football team, it holds 90,000 seats, and is the second largest stadium in Europe.