The team's fortunes suffered a swift decline in the 1902–03 season, and Burnley finished bottom of the Football League and were forced to apply for re-election.

[1] Burnley were re-elected and Mangnall started the next campaign as manager, but he left the club in October 1903 to join Second Division rivals Manchester United.

[2] He started his management at Manchester United in 1903 and saw his team narrowly miss promotion in his first two seasons before success at the third attempt, as the club finished as runners-up in the Second Division.

The following year saw United drop below mid-table but the club won its first FA Cup with a 1–0 victory in the final against Bristol City, the winner scored by Sandy Turnbull.

[3] He managed City from 1912 until 1924, the interruption of World War I would mean his spell there only covered eight Football League seasons however the Club did find success in wartime regional tournaments.