MANCHESTER UNITED are paying tribute to the victims of the Munich air disaster at today’s Premier League clash against Huddersfield.
February 6 marks the 60th anniversary of the tragedy, which saw 23 people – including 11 United players and staff – lose their lives.
United were travelling back from a European Cup tie in Belgrade when the plane they were travelling crashed off the runway on the third attempt at taking off.
It is customary for the club to pay tribute at the home game closest to the anniversary, with today’s Premier League clash with Huddersfield the one.
Fans congregated outside Old Trafford to pay their respects to the victims of the Munich air disaster ahead of kick-off.
The poem, The Flowers Of Manchester, was written to remember the players from the ‘Busby Babes’ who lost their lives on that fateful day back in 1958.
And that forms part of a special commemorative pack given out at today’s game to pay tribute.
In it, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward writes: “(Munich) is forever woven into the fabric of this club’s history.
WE REMEMBER United legend Denis Law opens up on the emotions of the Munich air disaster
“It’s our responsibility today to ensure that their loss is remembered.”
There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off, and boss Jose Mourinho has called for a top performance to mark the emotional day.
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Mourinho said: “This is part of my life, my football culture, because it was such a tragedy.
“As Manchester United manager, it obviously means much more.
“It is an amazing day to show respect and play well.”
United legend Denis Law spoke exclusively to SunSport about the emotional day at Old Trafford today, and said there “won’t be a dry eye” in the stadium.
Law, 77, was still a Huddersfield player on that fateful day February 6, 1958.
But he joined United four years later and knows first-hand the catastrophic impact the tragedy had on the club… and still does.
He said: “I was at Huddersfield when the disaster happened and I was really shaken up by it because it was such a terrible accident.
“It’s fair to say that the players who lost their lives in Munich were our inspiration back in the 60s.
“But I still think their legacy, which is really powerful, is felt by anyone who pulls on a United shirt. For me, it was an honour and a privilege to join Manchester United and be there in the fightback after the crash.
“This match will be a really emotional occasion. It will be very upsetting just to think of those who lost their lives — it was so cruel and they will never, ever be forgotten.
“I can’t see there being a dry eye in the house when they’re remembered, which shows how much they still matter to the club.”
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