Why are Manchester United called the Red Devils, when did the nickname start and is it used officially?
All you need to know about the nickname of one of the world's biggest clubs
THE story of Manchester United’s nickname is one of the more interesting in football.
Many (fans of rival clubs) would argue that the United of the Fergie days always had something a bit devilish about them
But the nickname ‘Red Devils’ goes back decades and traces its roots to a whole different sport.
Why are Manchester United called the Red Devils?
Manchester City fans always say United supporters aren’t really from Manchester, and the origin of the club’s nickname would certainly bring a smile to the faces of the city’s blue half.
Salford’s dominant rugby league team earned the nickname Red Devils during a tour of France in 1934, when they were so dazzling and ruthless that a French journalist labelled them ‘Les Diables Rouges‘.
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United’s early nickname was ‘The Heathens’ due to the fact they came from Newton Heath and were the first ever team to play on Sunday.
But they eventually decided that Salford’s nickname effectively meant the same thing and sounded more intimidating.
When did the nickname start?
In the early 1960s, Sir Matt Busby decided he preferred the name ‘Red Devils’ to either ‘Heathens’ or ‘Busby Babes’, as his young squad were also known.
The rest, as they say, is history. In 1970, the devil joined the traditional ship on the club’s badge.
‘Fred the Red’, a man in a devil costume, was also made the official United mascot.
Is it used officially?
The club officially acknowledge Red Devils as their nickname.
Since the 1970s, United have sold merchandise such as hats and scarves with devil logos on.
At the top of their French website, United list ‘the latest news from the Red Devils.
Do any other teams have the same nickname?
Salford’s rugby league team continue to be known as Red Devils despite a previous stint as Salford City Reds.
The international football teams of Belgium, Belarus and Congo also share the nickname, as well as the South Korea supporters club.
Crawley Town are the only other English team to have the nickname, which is shared by a variety of foreign clubs such as Kaiserslautern, Independiente and Hapoel Tel-Aviv.
