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Football, Taught by Matt Busby
• Contains newly unearthed, never-before-seen images of Sir Matt Busby as well as never-before-heard interviews with Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, and other key figures in Manchester United’s history
• Provides the most complete and rounded picture of Matt Busby - the man and the manager - ever written, from an author widely regarded as the best Manchester United historian alive today
The world’s biggest football club comes under scrutiny like no other sporting institution on earth. Yet how did Manchester United become the global behemoth it is? And how and why did Matt Busby take the club to the summit of the game - and build an empire that lasted for decades?
Football, Taught By Matt Busby delves into the DNA of Manchester United, the world’s most famous football club, exploring the identity and philosophy of the team from its beginnings to its global prominence today.
At a time when the club’s identity has been questioned following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Wayne Barton seeks to unravel the core principles that have shaped the club’s success over decades, through research spanning over a decade, and interviews with key figures associated with the club.
Drawing on never-before-heard interviews with Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, as well as conversations with over one hundred former players, managers, coaches, and officials, this book is the definitive study of Manchester United’s playing style and heritage.
For the first time, the intricate details of the club’s football philosophy are connected, from the Busby era to Ferguson’s reign, and beyond. This book is set to become a vital reference point for fans, historians, and coaches alike.
• Provides the most complete and rounded picture of Matt Busby - the man and the manager - ever written, from an author widely regarded as the best Manchester United historian alive today
The world’s biggest football club comes under scrutiny like no other sporting institution on earth. Yet how did Manchester United become the global behemoth it is? And how and why did Matt Busby take the club to the summit of the game - and build an empire that lasted for decades?
Football, Taught By Matt Busby delves into the DNA of Manchester United, the world’s most famous football club, exploring the identity and philosophy of the team from its beginnings to its global prominence today.
At a time when the club’s identity has been questioned following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Wayne Barton seeks to unravel the core principles that have shaped the club’s success over decades, through research spanning over a decade, and interviews with key figures associated with the club.
Drawing on never-before-heard interviews with Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, as well as conversations with over one hundred former players, managers, coaches, and officials, this book is the definitive study of Manchester United’s playing style and heritage.
For the first time, the intricate details of the club’s football philosophy are connected, from the Busby era to Ferguson’s reign, and beyond. This book is set to become a vital reference point for fans, historians, and coaches alike.
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 8, 2026
thanks to the publishers and netgalley for a free copy in return for an open and honest review
Enjoyed this book the essence of this book is Matt Busby and his Manchester united career but Barton does go through the history of the club from its origins as the railway team in Newton Heath to the name change and move to Old Trafford and Barton also goes through post Busby to ten haag tenture as United manager.
Enjoyed this book the essence of this book is Matt Busby and his Manchester united career but Barton does go through the history of the club from its origins as the railway team in Newton Heath to the name change and move to Old Trafford and Barton also goes through post Busby to ten haag tenture as United manager.
February 27, 2026
Wayne Barton is the oracle who you consult when you want to learn about anything concerned with Manchester United but not only does he seem to know or have an opinion on everything he can also write and communicate excellently and this analysis of the Busby years and beyond at the club is fascinating reading and will captivate any real football fans irrespective of whom they support.
Packed with insights and never before heard interviews this was a thorough and compelling account of some of the great years of a great club.
Highly recommended.
Packed with insights and never before heard interviews this was a thorough and compelling account of some of the great years of a great club.
Highly recommended.
April 8, 2025
I’m just over half way through this. It’s flawless, comfortably Wayne’s best work and given his back catalogue that is the highest praise I can make. He is in a class of his own when writing about United.
The best book on Man Utd ever written.
The best book on Man Utd ever written.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews