It was 68 years ago today when Duncan Edwards passed away in a hospital bed, 15 days on from the Munich air disaster.
Duncan Edwards was just 21 when he died from injuries sustained in the 1958 Munich air disaster.
Edwards had made 173 appearances for United, scoring 21 goals, filling multiple positions including left-half.
Unlike seven of his teammates in Munich, Edwards didn’t die instantly. Sir Matt Busby’s assistant manager, Jimmy Murphy, visited the hospital after the crash and spoke to the young England international while he received medical care.
Edwards opened his eyes to ask Murphy about Manchester United’s match against Wolves. “What time is kick-off on Saturday? Is it three o’clock? I can’t miss the Wolves match.”
Murphy responded: “Usual time, three o’clock,” before adding, “OK, son… don’t worry. We’re resting, you Duncan. We don’t need you to beat Wolves.”
The Busby Babes reached the European Cup semi-finals in 1957 and 1958
Were the Busby Babes destined to go all the way in the European Cup before the Munich air disaster?
United lost another young player who had the world at his feet when Edwards passed away in the hospital 15 days after the crash.
Edwards is remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of United and England, despite having his career taken from him at an early age. The impact he had on his teammates was everlasting.
Sir Bobby Charlton’s telling tribute to Duncan Edwards
When it comes to United legends, Sir Bobby Charlton is up there at the very top.
The former European Cup and World Cup-winner passed away in October 2023, but United fans will continue to remember Charlton as one of the club’s greatest servants.
Charlton was an emerging talent at United while Edwards, a year older, had already established himself as a key player in Busby’s side that had booked its place in the European Cup semi-finals for a second consecutive year in 1958 before the crash.
They were teammates for a short period, but Charlton later explained that Edwards was the only footballer to make him feel inferior on the pitch and described him as a ‘brother’.
“He was like a brother to me,” Charlton said, as quoted by The Mirror.
“I feel terrible trying to explain to people just how good Duncan was.
“His death was the single biggest tragedy to happen to Manchester United and England. I felt I could compare with any player – except Duncan. He didn’t have a fault in his game.
“He was more than a great. Sometimes he seemed like a bright light in the sky.
“He was a giant. Even today, his loss is the hardest thing to bear.
“Duncan Edwards is the one person I felt inferior to. I’ve never known anyone so gifted, so strong and with such a presence.”
Charlton survived the crash and went on to play an important role in United’s post-Munich revival, earning himself a statue with George Best and Denis Law outside Old Trafford.
In 1966, Charlton won the World Cup and Ballon d’Or award, but two years later, he helped Busby’s side beat Benfica in the European Cup final. It was a remarkable achievement for the club, just 10 years on from the fatal disaster.
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What Jimmy Murphy said about Duncan Edwards
Murphy once reflected on Edwards in comparison to the great Muhammad Ali by suggesting the former United academy graduate was superior as an athlete.
“When I used to hear Muhammad Ali proclaim to the world that he was the greatest, I used to smile,” said Murphy, as quoted by Forbes.
“You see, the greatest of them all was an English footballer named Duncan Edwards. If I shut my eyes now I can see him.
“Those pants hitched up, the wild leaps of boyish enthusiasm as he came running out of the tunnel, the tremendous power of his tackle, always fair but fearsome, the immense power on the ball.
“The number of times he was robbed of the ball once he had it at his feet could be counted on one hand. He was a players’ player. The greatest…there was only one and that was Duncan Edwards.”
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