At Manchester United’s memorial service for the victims of the Munich Air Disaster, held 67 years later, Ruben Amorim joined Sir Alex Ferguson in paying his respects.
Players from the men’s, women’s, and academy teams gathered outside Old Trafford on Thursday to honor the tragedy. Tributes were also paid at Manchesterplatz in Munich.
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The club live-streamed the memorial service, sharing on social media: “We loved them then. We now adore them. We honor the Busby Babes, the #FlowersOfManchester, today and every day.” Fans gathered outside Old Trafford to pay their respects.
In 1958, a plane carrying the Manchester United team crashed near Munich, claiming the lives of 23 people. The aircraft, which had a total of 44 passengers, had stopped in Munich to refuel after United’s victory over Red Star Belgrade in Yugoslavia, which secured their place in the European Cup semi-finals.
On Thursday, the team came together to remember the fallen, with current manager Amorim seen conversing with Ferguson.
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Just over twenty-four hours before United’s FA Cup fourth-round match against Leicester, Amorim was seen greeting supporters upon his arrival.
During the memorial service, he stood behind men’s captain Bruno Fernandes, women’s team manager Mike Skinner, and captain Maya Le Tissier. Fans gathered behind a fence to witness the proceedings, and he was observed bowing his head among four laid wreaths.
The service honored the 23 individuals who lost their lives, including players Duncan Edwards, Eddie Colman, and Geoff Bent, who initially survived but succumbed to his injuries 15 days later.
The victims included pilot Kenneth Rayment, journalists Frank Swift and Donny Davies, club secretary Walter Crickmer, and head coach Bert Whalley.
Among the survivors were Bobby Charlton, Harry Gregg, and manager Matt Busby.
Takeoff was delayed twice due to a surge in wind, and after the second cancellation, passengers were taken off the aircraft with plans to fly the following day.
The most recent investigation revealed that the incident was caused by slush on the runway, which slowed the plane too much to take off. After crashing through a fence, crossing a road, and colliding with a house, part of the tail was torn off and the left side of the cockpit struck a tree.
In the aftermath, there were concerns that Manchester United might not survive as a club, but they managed to carry on thanks to support and player loans from rival club Liverpool.
Amorim, who has faced challenges since taking over at Old Trafford late last year, is the latest manager to participate in United’s annual remembrance of the tragedy.
His team is working to salvage their season, aiming for success in both the FA Cup and Europe, while currently sitting in 13th place in the Premier League standings.
On Friday night, as they face Leicester, former assistant and interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will make his first appearance since departing the club.