Manchester United wouldn't be the club it is today with the late and great Sir Matt Busby. The legendary former manager of the club passed away on this day in 1994.
Busby was in charge of the club for two of the most historic events in its history, two events so closely linked and so intrinsically built into the club's past, present and no doubt future.
First in 1958, having already won the league title three times, Busby and his infamous 'Babes' were on the way back from a European Cup match in Belgrade when disaster struck. The Munich Air Disaster saw 21 people aboard the flight back to Manchester lose their lives.
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Eight players and three members of staff lost their lives but Busby and nine players, including Sir Bobby Charlton, survived the crash. The survivors had to rebuild the club and with Busby, and his assistant Jimmy Murphy were at the front of that.
Incredibly, just 10 years after a disaster that nearly caused the club to fold, the team reached the 1968 final of the European Cup for the first time. At Wembley, with two survivors of the crash in the team, United were victorious winning 4-1 in extra time against Benfica.
The former Manchester City player, yeah the fans were able to forgive him that, finished his career at Old Trafford having won five league titles, the FA Cup twice and famously the European Cup.
Busby last won the league title in 1967 with the Red Devils and it would take 26 years to get over his retirement with Sir Alex Ferguson's first Premier League title in 1993 the first time United would be the best club in the country since Busby's last title.
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In January 1994. aged 84, the legend passed away from cancer. Just two days later United played hosts to Everton at Old Trafford. The stadium stood as one to give him a fitting and moving minute's silence.
George Bests' tears told the story of many football fans:
Sir Matt Busby was a true legend of the game!
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