by Keith Redfern

Created on: April 13, 2009

This is a question people have been asking from time to time since the 1970s.
Manchester United is more than a football club, it is a phenomenon. It has had legend status since the late 1950s when manager Matt Busby created a team of young players the likes of which England had never seen, only to see so many of them killed in the tragic air crash at Munich airport in 1958.

The fact that a team could be recreated in the following decade that was good enough to win the European Cup, lifted Man U's status almost to mythic levels.
Fans either loved them or hated them, and so it has stayed.
After Matt Busby retired, a series of unsuccessful managers led to eventual relegation from England's top league, and the clamber back towards the very top only accelerated after Alex Ferguson's appointment.
Some of the best soccer players Europe has ever seen have played for the club, from Charlton, Best and Law to Giggs, Cantana and Beckham, and many of those who have watched the team play still claim that Duncan Edwards, who died from his injuries in Munich at the age of 21, was possibly the greatest player of all time.
With such a prodigious history, Manchester United has been the most talked about club in England for decades. Those supporting other clubs love to talk them down. Their own fans expect a trophy every season, which even with the quality of players they undoubtedly have at their disposal, is probably going to be unlikely given the current level of competition from other clubs.
So Have Manchester United had their day?' will be asked in hope of failure by the fans of other clubs, but in hope of further success by their own fans.
At one time it was very rare for an English club team to win the League and FA Cup double. Then Manchester United won the treble, including the European Champions League. Last season they won the World Club Championship.
As I write, the club still has the possibility of winning five trophies in one season. So what level of failure would constitute having had their day'?
It has appeared to be happening many times, especially during a period of poor early season form.
The ultimate test will surely come when Sir Alex Ferguson finally retires. As with the post Busby era, the post Ferguson era will be very difficult. Who could possibly maintain the level of success he has achieved?
Have Manchester United had their day? Yes - over and over again. Will they continue to? Only the future will tell.

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