1940–41 Manchester United F.C. season

The 1940–41 season was Manchester United's second season in the non-competitive War League during the Second World War.[1][2][3]

Manchester United
1940–41 season
ChairmanJames W. Gibson
ManagerWalter Crickmer
War League North Regional League8th
War League CupFirst Round

Many of Manchester United's players went off to fight in the war, but for those who remained, the Football League organised a special War League. It was originally split into two regional divisions (Manchester United were placed in the North Division), with 36 clubs involved and positions were decided on goal average. Home and away games were not recognised as such and no points were awarded for draws or wins. United finished the league season with a record of 14 wins, 8 draws and 13 losses, and a goal average of 1.231, good enough for eighth place. To replace the FA Cup, a War League Cup was also set up, in which United lost to Everton in the First Round.

War League North Regional League

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Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
31 August 1940 Rochdale A 3–1 Aston, J. Carey, Smith
7 September 1940 Bury H 0–0
14 September 1940 Oldham Athletic A 1–2 Farrow
21 September 1940 Oldham Athletic H 2–3 Smith (2)
28 September 1940 Manchester City A 1–4 Smith
5 October 1940 Manchester City H 0–2
12 October 1940 Burnley A 1–0 Warner
19 October 1940 Preston North End H 4–1 Dodds (2), Buchan, J. Carey
26 October 1940 Preston North End A 1–3 Bryant
2 November 1940 Burnley H 4–1 Butt (2), J. Carey, Smith
9 November 1940 Everton A 2–5 Dodds, Smith
16 November 1940 Everton H 0–0
23 November 1940 Liverpool A 2–2 Smith, Warner
30 November 1940 Liverpool H 2–0 Butt, Smith
7 December 1940 Blackburn Rovers A 5–5 Dodds (2), Aston, Bryant, Mitten
14 December 1940 Rochdale H 3–4 Smith (2), J. Carey
21 December 1940 Bury A 1–4 McKay
25 December 1940 Stockport County A 3–1 Smith (2), Burrows
28 December 1940 Blackburn Rovers H 9–0 Smith (5), J. Carey (2), Aston, Mitten
4 January 1941 Blackburn Rovers A 2–0 (a.e.t.) Smith (2)
11 January 1941 Blackburn Rovers H 0–0 (a.e.t.)
18 January 1941 Bolton Wanderers A 2–3 (a.e.t.) Mears, Smith
25 January 1941 Bolton Wanderers H 4–1 (a.e.t.) Pearson (2), J. Carey, Smith
1 March 1941 Chesterfield A 1–1 Smith
8 March 1941 Bury H 7–3 J. Carey (3), Rowley (3), Smith
22 March 1941 Oldham Athletic A 1–0 Smith
29 March 1941 Blackpool A 0–2
5 April 1941 Blackpool H 2–3 Mears, Smith
12 April 1941 Everton A 2–1 Rowley (2)
14 April 1941 Manchester City A 7–1 Rowley (4), Pearson (2), Smith
19 April 1941 Chester A 6–4 (a.e.t.) Rowley (5), J. Carey
26 April 1941 Liverpool A 1–2 Rowley
3 May 1941 Liverpool H 1–1 Rowley
10 May 1941 Bury A 1–5 Rowley
17 May 1941 Burnley H 1–0 J. Carey
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv
7 Halifax Town 30 10 13 7 64 51 1.255
8 Manchester United 35 14 8 13 80 65 1.231
9 Lincoln City 27 13 7 7 65 53 1.226
Source: [citation needed]

War League Cup

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Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
15 February 1941 First Round
First leg
Everton H 2–2 Rowley, Whalley
22 February 1941 First Round
Second leg
Everton A 1–2 Rowley

References

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  1. ^ "Manchester United In War League 1940/41". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  2. ^ Rollin, Jack (2005). Soccer at War: 1939 - 45. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7553-1431-X.
  3. ^ "England 1940/41". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Retrieved 31 December 2011.