# 1940–41 Manchester United F.C. season

The 1940–41 season was Manchester United's second season in the non-competitive War League during the Second World War.
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. It was originally split into two regional divisions (Manchester United were placed in the North Division), with 36 clubs involved and positions were decided on goal average. Home and away games were not recognised as such and no points were awarded for draws or wins. United finished the league season with a record of 14 wins, 8 draws and 13 losses, and a goal average of 1.231, good enough for eighth place. To replace the FA Cup, a War League Cup was also set up, in which United lost to Everton in the First Round.

## War League North Regional League

| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F–A | Scorers |
| 31 August 1940 | Rochdale | A | 3–1 | Aston, J. Carey, Smith |
| 7 September 1940 | Bury | H | 0–0 | |
| 14 September 1940 | Oldham Athletic | A | 1–2 | Farrow |
| 21 September 1940 | Oldham Athletic | H | 2–3 | Smith (2) |
| 28 September 1940 | Manchester City | A | 1–4 | Smith |
| 5 October 1940 | Manchester City | H | 0–2 | |
| 12 October 1940 | Burnley | A | 1–0 | Warner |
| 19 October 1940 | Preston North End | H | 4–1 | Dodds (2), Buchan, J. Carey |
| 26 October 1940 | Preston North End | A | 1–3 | Bryant |
| 2 November 1940 | Burnley | H | 4–1 | Butt (2), J. Carey, Smith |
| 9 November 1940 | Everton | A | 2–5 | Dodds, Smith |
| 16 November 1940 | Everton | H | 0–0 | |
| 23 November 1940 | Liverpool | A | 2–2 | Smith, Warner |
| 30 November 1940 | Liverpool | H | 2–0 | Butt, Smith |
| 7 December 1940 | Blackburn Rovers | A | 5–5 | Dodds (2), Aston, Bryant, Mitten |
| 14 December 1940 | Rochdale | H | 3–4 | Smith (2), J. Carey |
| 21 December 1940 | Bury | A | 1–4 | McKay |
| 25 December 1940 | Stockport County | A | 3–1 | Smith (2), Burrows |
| 28 December 1940 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 9–0 | Smith (5), J. Carey (2), Aston, Mitten |
| 4 January 1941 | Blackburn Rovers | A | 2–0 (a.e.t.) | Smith (2) |
| 11 January 1941 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 0–0 (a.e.t.) | |
| 18 January 1941 | Bolton Wanderers | A | 2–3 (a.e.t.) | Mears, Smith |
| 25 January 1941 | Bolton Wanderers | H | 4–1 (a.e.t.) | Pearson (2), J. Carey, Smith |
| 1 March 1941 | Chesterfield | A | 1–1 | Smith |
| 8 March 1941 | Bury | H | 7–3 | J. Carey (3), Rowley (3), Smith |
| 22 March 1941 | Oldham Athletic | A | 1–0 | Smith |
| 29 March 1941 | Blackpool | A | 0–2 | |
| 5 April 1941 | Blackpool | H | 2–3 | Mears, Smith |
| 12 April 1941 | Everton | A | 2–1 | Rowley (2) |
| 14 April 1941 | Manchester City | A | 7–1 | Rowley (4), Pearson (2), Smith |
| 19 April 1941 | Chester | A | 6–4 (a.e.t.) | Rowley (5), J. Carey |
| 26 April 1941 | Liverpool | A | 1–2 | Rowley |
| 3 May 1941 | Liverpool | H | 1–1 | Rowley |
| 10 May 1941 | Bury | A | 1–5 | Rowley |
| 17 May 1941 | Burnley | H | 1–0 | J. Carey |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv |
| 7 | Halifax Town | 30 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 64 | 51 | 1.255 |
| 8 | Manchester United | 35 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 80 | 65 | 1.231 |
| 9 | Lincoln City | 27 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 65 | 53 | 1.226 |

## War League Cup

| Date | Round | Opponents | H / A | Result F–A | Scorers | Attendance |
| 15 February 1941 | First Round First leg | Everton | H | 2–2 | Rowley, Whalley | |
| 22 February 1941 | First Round Second leg | Everton | A | 1–2 | Rowley | |