[2] In September 1972, Frank O'Farrell signed Welsh international centre-forward Wyn Davies from Manchester City for a fee of £60,000.

The signing paid immediate dividends with Davies scoring on his United debut in a 3-0 win against Derby County.

Shortly afterwards, O'Farrell paid Bournemouth, then in the Third Division, a reported £194,445 for the services of striker, Ted MacDougall.

[4] Three days later Tommy Docherty was appointed as the new manager, after he resigned from the Scotland national team, and he guided United to survival.

Denis Law, who had rarely played this season, was given a free transfer at the end of the campaign after 11 years with the club.