The Reds were promoted from the second tier on five separate occasions, including two when the club ended the campaign as champions - 1935/36 and 1974/75. In the other three promotion seasons - 1905/06, 1924/25 and 1937/38 - a return to the top flight was our reward for being runners-up. The race to finish top of the Second Division in 1935/36 was a close one, with Scott Duncan's side eventually edging Charlton Athletic by one point. The Reds were unbeaten during the last 19 games and secured the title with a 3-2 win over Bury at Gigg Lane. United were relegated back to the Second Division just one season later, only to earn promotion once again in 1937/38 as runners-up to Aston Villa. The Reds were still in the First Division as the Football League resumed in 1946/47, after World War II, and remained there until the end of 1973/74 when Tommy Docherty's team suffered the shock of relegation. This was only six years after United had won the European Cup under Sir Matt Busby. The response to being relegated was a positive one as Docherty's men reclaimed a place in the top tier at the first attempt. Lou Macari scored the goal that clinched promotion, as United won 1-0 away at Southampton on 5 April 1975, and the 1974/75 Second Division trophy was then secured with a three-point lead over Aston Villa. The Reds have been in the top flight ever since and, of course, would be happy to never have another opportunity to win the title in the Second Division - or the Championship as it is now known.
