The 1968-69 season saw United flounder in 11th position in the League,while in the European Cup they relinguished their crown to eventual winners AC Milan at the semi-final stage.
Sir Matt Busby resigned as manager of United in 1969,after 24 years in the managerial hotseat.His successor was Wilf McGuinness,a former "Busby Babe".The season sees United finish in 8th position in the League while the side reach the semi-finals of the FA and League Cup.
The next season sees United close to the relegation zone and McGuinness is moved behind the scenes as United turn to Sir Matt Busby once more to guide them out of their current plight.With Busby at the helm,United finish a creditable 8th in the League.
July 1971 sees Frank O' Farrell as next United manager.The appointment seems to be the tonic the Club need as they race into a 5 point lead by Christmas.However,United's league form dips dramatically after the New Year and United finish in 8th position mainly due to the acquistion of Central Defender Martin Buchan from Aberdeen.
The 1972-73 season is a disaster for the Club.They fail to win a game until the 10th game and only win 12 games during the season.United finish the League in 18th place in the league and marks the beginning of the end of George Best's United Career and of manager O'Farrell.
O'Farrell is replaced at the Club by the flamboyant Scot Tommy Docherty who sets about building a "Tartan Side" with the acquistions of George Graham,Lou Macari and Alex Forsythe from Partick Thistle.Docherty in this period allows United favourite Denis Law to leave the Club and he is promptly snapped on a free transfer by arch rivals Manchester City.It's ironic that Law was the player to send United down into Division 2 in the 1973-74 season.
United were now in Division 2 for the first time since the 1937-38 season but United only stayed in the Division for a season as United were promoted as Champions of the Second Division.The Club then put in some sterling work in the 75-76 season to provide a platform in which United could once again win Domestic Honours.The Club finish in 3rd position in the League and reach the FA Cup Final where they are beaten by underdogs Southampton led by Lawrie McMenemy 1-0 at Wembley.
The following season and United are once again in the FA Cup Final.This time their opponents are the "Double Chasing" Liverpool side.United win 2-1 courtesy of goals from Stuart Pearson and Lou Macari.
The 1977-78 season see United languish in midtable of the League while in the FA Cup they are knocked out by West Bromwich Albion managed by Ron Atkinson.By then,Docherty had being replaced by Dave Sexton,former manager of Chelsea and QPR.Sexton's first signings were Joe Jordan (£350,000) and the reliable defender Gordon McQueen from Leeds United for £495,000.
The 1978-79 season sees United finish 9th in the League and reach yet another FA Cup Final at Wembley.However,United are defeated by Arsenal 3-2 with Alan Sunderland scoring the winner right at the death.This match was known as "The 5 Minute Final".
Dave Sexton plunged into the transfer market again in an attempt to strengthen the squad.He signed Ray Wilkins from Chelsea for £850,000 and his presence in the United midfield ensured that United finished runners-up in the League to the winners Liverpool in the 1979-80 campaign.
