The 5th February 1958 sees United play Red Star Belgrade in Belgrade for the return leg.United draw 3-3 after being 3-0 up at one stage.However,the team from Manchester advance to the last four with a 5-4 aggregate win.
The following day and the United party board a plane which would take them home.The aircraft,a BEA Elizabethan Charter Plane with Co-Pilot Captain Kenneth Rayment at the controls landed at Munich Airport for re-fuelling.
By 2pm,the aircraft was refuelled and ready for take off.The first attempt to depart was abandoned due to "boost surging",a condition which occurs when the engines of the plane over accelerate.A second attempt to take off failed as well and the passengers were told to return to the Terminal Lounge.
The final attempt to take off was made at 3:03pm.The plane failed to acheive the required speed,but this time it was too late.The aircraft carrerred through the perimeter fence and crashed into a house which caused the plane to break up.The fuselage crashed into a wooden hut which contained a truck loaded with fuel.The truck exploded and resulted in 23 people been killed.
8 of the victims were United players:
Roger Byrne
Geoff Bent
Eddie Coleman
Mark Jones
Duncan Edwards
Liam Whelan
David Pegg
Tommy Taylor
Among the many injured were Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Matt Busby who was seriously ill.The news of the crash was recieved with total and utter shock in Britain.Many people couldn't comprehend how a great side could be destroyed within a matter of minutes.
Meanwhile,back at Old Trafford it was left to Jimmy Murphy to pick up the pieces after the disaster.Ironically,Murphy didn't travel to Belgrade due to international duty with Wales.
He tried to rebuild the side by signing Ernie Taylor from Blackpool.United's first post Munich game was against Sheffield Wednesday at Old Trafford on the 19th February 1958.The game was an emotional affair for both fans and players alike.The United squad consisted mainly of eager youngsters along with Munich survivors Harry Gregg and right-back Bill Foulkes.
United won 3-0 with goals from Shay Brennan (2) and Alex Dawson.United finished in 9th position in the League and reached the FA Cup Final where they faced Bolton Wanderers.Bolton beat United 2-0 courtesy of a Nat Lofthouse brace.
Five days later,United continued their European Cup adventure against AC Milan.Despite winning the 1st leg 1-0 at Old Trafford,United succumbed to the might of the Italians 4-0 in the return leg and so closed a most tragic season for Manchester United.
Several years after the disaster,black was incorporated in the Official Team Strip as a mark of respect to those who perished in the Munich Air Disaster.
