1939–40 Manchester United F.C. season

The 1939–40 season would have been Manchester United's 44th season in the Football League, and their second season back in the top flight after playing in the Second Division in 1937–38. However, due to the outbreak of war in Europe in September 1939, the league season was abandoned after just three games and the results expunged from the records. For this reason, appearances made and goals scored in the Football League matches that were played do not contribute to a player's overall appearances and goals record.

Manchester United

1939–40 season
Chairman	James W. Gibson
Manager	Walter Crickmer
First Division	10th
War League Western Division	4th
War League Cup	Second Round
Home colours Away colours
← 1938–39 1940–41 →

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. The War League was originally split into ten regional divisions (Manchester United were placed in the Western Division), in accordance with the Government's 50-mile travel limit. A War League Cup was also set up to replace the FA Cup, which had also been interrupted at the preliminary round phase. United finished the league season with a record of 14 wins and 8 losses, and also reached the second round of the cup before losing to eventual runners-up, Blackburn Rovers.

First Division

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance
26 August 1939	Grimsby Town	H	4–0	Bryant, Carey, Pearson, Wrigglesworth	22,537
30 August 1939	Chelsea	A	1–1	Bryant	15,157
2 September 1939	Charlton Athletic	A	0–2		8,608

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GAv	Pts
9	Stoke City	3	1	1	1	7	4	1.750	3
10	Manchester United	3	1	1	1	5	3	1.667	3
11	Chelsea	3	1	1	1	4	4	1.000	3

Source: ^{[citation needed]}

War League Western Division

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance
21 October 1939	Manchester City	H	0–4
28 October 1939	Chester City	A	4–0	Pearson (2), Smith (2)
11 November 1939	Crewe Alexandra	H	5–1	Carey, Hanlon, Pearson, Smith, Vose
18 November 1939	Liverpool	A	0–1
25 November 1939	Port Vale	H	8–1	Wrigglesworth (5), Asquith, Pearson, Smith
2 December 1939	Tranmere Rovers	A	4–2	Smith (2), Hanlon, Warner
9 December 1939	Stockport County	A	7–4	Pearson (2), Smith (2), Hanlon, McKay, own goal
23 December 1939	Wrexham	H	5–1	Pearson (2), Roughton, Hanlon, Butt
6 January 1940	Everton	A	2–3	McKay, Smith
20 January 1940	Stoke City	H	4–3	Jones (2), Butt, Pearson
10 February 1940	Manchester City	A	0–1
24 February 1940	Chester City	H	5–1	Carey, Manley, Pearson, own goal (2)
9 March 1940	Crewe Alexandra	A	4–1	Smith (2), Butt, Pearson
16 March 1940	Liverpool	H	1–0	Pearson
23 March 1940	Port Vale	A	3–1	McKay (2), Pearson
30 March 1940	Tranmere Rovers	H	6–1	Smith (3), McKay, Roberts, Roughton
6 April 1940	Stockport County	H	6–1	Butt (2), Pearson (2), Roughton, Wrigglesworth
6 May 1940	New Brighton	H	6–0	Smith (2), Asquith, Butt, Whalley, Wrigglesworth
13 May 1940	Wrexham	A	2–3	Butt (2)
18 May 1940	New Brighton	A	0–6
25 May 1940	Stoke City	A	2–3	Burdett (2)
1 June 1940	Everton	H	0–3

Pos	Club	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GAvg	Pts
3	Everton	22	12	4	6	64	33	1.94	28
4	Manchester United	22	14	0	8	74	41	1.80	28
5	Manchester City	22	12	4	16	73	41	1.78	28

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GAvg = Goal average; Pts = Points

War League Cup

Date	Round	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance
20 April 1940	First round First leg	Manchester City	H	0–1
27 April 1940	First round Second leg	Manchester City	A	2–0	Pearson, Wrigglesworth
4 May 1940	Second round First leg	Blackburn Rovers	A	2–1	Carey, Smith
11 May 1940	Second round Second leg	Blackburn Rovers	H	1–3	Carey

References

• "United in the War League – 1939–1940". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 24 July 2008.
• Rollin, Jack (2005). Soccer at War: 1939 - 45. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7553-1431-X.
• "England 1939/40". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Retrieved 31 December 2011.