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

Ascenso MX crestAscenso MX

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
1Atletico Morelia crestAtletico Morelia9612157819
W
L
W
W
W
2Tepatitlan FC crestTepatitlan FC10532147718
L
W
L
W
D
3Atletico La Paz crestAtletico La Paz9441146816
D
W
W
L
D
4Tapatio crestTapatio94232016414
L
L
D
W
W
5Cancun FC crestCancun FC94231310314
D
W
L
W
L
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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

Crystal Palace was originally founded in 1861 by the members of the Crystal Palace Company, who first founded a cricket club in 1857. The football team remained amateur until turning professional in 1905. Crystal Palace are the oldest football club still actively playing professional football in the world.

Steve Parish, who bought a stake in the club in 2010, has a 10% stake in Crystal Palace. American businessman John Textor, through his company Eagle Football Holdings, owns a 45% majority stake. Josh Harris and David Blitzer own 18% stake each, while investor Robert Franco owns 5% stake in the club.

Crystal Palace play their games at the Selhurst Park, which has been the club's home ground since 1924.

Selhurst Park has a capacity of 25,486. From 1985 to 1991, and from 1991 to 2003, Charlton Athletic and Wimbledon shared the venue with Crystal Palace, respectively.

Crystal Palace are yet to win a single major honour, making it to the FA Cup final twice.

No manager has led Crystal Palace to an English top flight title yet, with their best-ever finish coming in the 1990-91 season, when they finished third.

Former Scottish centre-back Jim Cannon holds the record for making the most appearances for Crystal Palace, playing 600 games while spending his entire career at the Selhurst Park.

Peter Simpson scored 165 goals during his five-season stint at the club (1929-30 to 1933-34) and is Crystal Palace's all-time top goalscorer.

Wilfried Zaha, Ian Wright, Wayne Hennessey, and Christian Benteke are some of Crystal Palace's most famous players ever.

Edmund Goodman, Terry Venables, Alan Pardew, Roy Hodgson, Frank de Boer, and Patrick Vieira are Crystal Palace's most famous managers ever.

Crystal Palace are famously known as The Eagles, a reference to their club badge which consists of an eagle holding a football.