Manchester United fans gathered outside Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon to pay their respects to the 23 people killed in the Munich air disaster.
Supporters gathered outside the stadium for a fan-led service under the Munich plaque from 12:00 – 12:30 GMT.
The fans were pictured wearing commemorative scarves that read: ‘Forever remembered. The ‘busy babes’ stood outside in the cold.
Man United fans were also seen holding an event brochure, which featured a photo of the Red Devils from 1958.
The brochure also included the order of service, which included poems, songs and readings before a two-minute silence.
Manchester United fans gathered outside Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon to pay their respects to the 23 people killed in the Munich air disaster
Supporters gathered outside the stadium for a fan-led service under the Munich plaque from 12:00 – 12:30 GMT
The fans were pictured wearing commemorative scarves that read: ‘Forever remembered. The busy babes stood outside in the cold
The service took place ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League match against West Ham at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Sunday’s match against West Ham comes the closest to the 66th anniversary of the Munich air disaster on February 6, which killed 23 people, including eight players.
It is also the first time that Manchester United and their fans have commemorated the incident since Sir Bobby Charlton, who was injured in the crash, died.
Therefore, this year’s commemoration will be the first without living survivors of that devastating day in Munich on February 6, 1958.
Before and during this weekend’s men’s, women’s and Academy team matches, United’s players, staff and fans paid their respects to those who lost their lives.
In the 1958 incident, a plane carrying United players and backroom staff, plus a number of journalists and fans, crashed in a snowstorm during its third attempt to take off from Munich Airport.
United were returning from Belgrade, where they had just defeated Red Star Belgrade in the European Cup, and had stopped in Munich to refuel. Twenty-three of the forty-four passengers on board the plane were killed.
The 60-year-old son of the disaster, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has vowed to keep the memory of the Busby Babes alive.
Speaking ahead of their clash with West Ham, Fernandes said: ‘We know the demands of playing for Manchester United. It is a legacy that is in the club.
The United fans were also seen holding an event brochure, which showed a photo of those who had died in the crash at the front
The brochure also contained the order of service, which contained poems, songs and lectures
The service took place ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League match against West Ham at Old Trafford this afternoon
Sunday’s match against West Ham comes the closest to the 66th anniversary of the Munich air disaster on February 6, which killed 23 people, including eight players.
‘It’s a responsibility for everyone: managers, players, everyone involved in the staff, to play in a certain way. But also to pay the utmost respect to those who have been to the club in the past.
‘We would like to express our respect to those involved. They built the club’s story, and then some. When bad things happen in your life, you become closer to those close to you.
‘It will be 66 years since the disaster and everyone knows what was built afterwards and the whole situation surrounding the club before and after.
“Since we arrived at the club we have been trained to be aware of what happened. I went to the museum with family and friends so we could learn more about the history of the club.
“When you go you see everything, I have family and friends who are passionate about the club and when they come here they love coming to the museum. Most people in Portugal know what it was like with the Busby Babes back then.
‘Everyone is aware when they come to the club – because every year we pay our respects to the victims of the disaster – what happened. It’s a big part of the Manchester United story.’
While United manager Ten Hag said: ‘Munich was a disaster for the club and how the club recovered from it, how individuals recovered from it. It was amazing to survive such a disaster and a few years later you lift the biggest trophy in European football, which is huge.
‘We must always remember this. This is the legacy of Manchester United’s existence and what we must emulate as a club, as a team and as individuals.’
This year’s commemoration will be the first without living survivors of that devastating day in Munich on February 6, 1958
Before and during this weekend’s men’s, women’s and Academy team matches, United’s players, staff and fans paid their respects to those who lost their lives
The 60-year-old son of the disaster, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has vowed to keep the memory of the Busby Babes alive
