Scotsman Scott Duncan had proved himself to be a fairly skillful winger during his playing days with Dumbarton, Rangers and Newcastle - where he picked up a Championship medal in the 1908-09 season.

Following his retirement as a player he moved into management with Hamilton and then Cowdenbeath before signing as United manager on August 1st 1932.

Duncan arrived as the latest manager to try his hand at resurrecting the club.

After finishing 12th in the Second Division the season before his arrival, Duncan took the club to a respectable 6th place finish in his first season.

It was a false dawn, however, and the following season was to be the lowest point in United's history so far.

On the 5th May 1934, the final day of the season, Manchester United looked doomed to the Third Division North. Placed second from the bottom, United needed to visit The Den, home of Millwall, and come away with a victory. Millwall were one point above United in 20th position. The team that day lined up as follows: Hacking, Griffiths, Jones, Robertson, Vose, McKay, Cape, McLenahan, Ball, Hine and Manley. United played as though their lives depended on the result and came away with a 2-0 victory and their Second Division status. Manley scored the first and Cape added a second.

The following season was quite the opposite, United finishing 5th, and the season after saw Duncan claim the Second Division championship and promotion to the First Division with a 3-2 victory over Bury at Gigg Lane.

Duncan and United were not up to First Division status, though, and they were quickly relegated in 21st position the next season. Four months into the new season on November 9th 1937 Scott Duncan resigned as manager.