Ahead of Saturday’s 2-0 win against Huddersfield, the game closest to the 60th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, Sir Bobby Charlton, a survivor of the crash, wrote to the current squad players.

I wanted to take the time to write to you as we approach the significant date of 6th February, in which Manchester United and the footballing world remembers and respects the Munich Air Disaster, which tragically affected this great club 60 years ago.

Whilst I’m sure you will have read and watched documentaries on this truly awful disaster, words cannot describe the devastating effect that this had on the football club and the lives of those affected.

Whether on board the plane that evening, or in the aftermath for those and their families and friends, this disaster was life-changing for so many of my good friends and colleagues.

On that night in 1958, we lost some of the greatest players and friends that I made through football, along with a number of staff and journalists on board that flight, whilst the brave Duncan Edwards passed away days later, making the total of 23 lives lost from the accident.

The devastating effect still lives on and this great football club, which you are part of, has risen from its darkest hour in a way like no other.

From loaning players from Bishop Auckland football club to ensure fixtures could be played, to players retiring to take up new key roles within the club, the great Manchester United pulled through and went on to lift silverware under Sir Matt Busby following this tragedy.

Now, as the time comes to once again remember and pay respects to those victims and survivors of this disaster, I wanted to thank you in advance for the role which you and your team-mates will play in the upcoming tributes.

Seeing supporters and players unite every year to pay their respects is such a poignant moment and one that really shows the class of this club and everybody involved and I thank you once again for the part you will play in the home game against Huddersfield Town in February, days before the anniversary on Tuesday.

Yours sincerely,
Sir Bobby Charlton CBE
Director

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