Manchester United players to wear black armbands v Middlesbrough to commemorate Munich anniversary
Manchester United’s players will wear black armbands against Middlesbrough as a show of respect for those who lost their lives in the 1958 Munich air disaster.
23 players, staff, and journalists died in the tragedy when the plane carrying the team back from a European cup tie crashed after losing control on the runway.
Top scorer Tommy Taylor was among those who lost his life, along with star prospect Duncan Edwards who later died in hospital.
21 survived, including manager Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton, who went on to win the European Cup 10 years later.
The tragedy will never be forgotten and the anniversary of the disaster is approaching, February 6.
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Tonight’s FA Cup tie at Old Trafford is the closest home fixture to the tragedy and United’s players will wear black armbands on their sleeves to commemorate the tragic event.
Manager Ralf Rangnick will lay a wreath on the pitch ahead of kick-off, and a giant banner will be unfurled in the Stretford End with the words ‘We’ll never die’.
Rangnick told the club website: “I have always admired how this club pays tribute every year to such a major incident in its history, and it is important that this tradition always continues because it is such a big part of the Manchester United story. I hope that we are also able to mark the occasion with an important victory this evening.”
United’s academy teams and women’s team will also wear black armbands for their matches this weekend, while flags at Old Trafford are flying at half-mast.
A remembrance ceremony will also take place on the Old Trafford forecourt on Sunday at 2.40pm, prior to a two-minute silence at 3.04pm, marking the time of the crash.
Last year pandemic restrictions meant the ceremony could not go ahead as usual, with this year providing a welcome return to traditions.
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