Ruben Amorim joined Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United’s memorial service for victims of the Munich Air Disaster to pay tribute 67 years on.
A memorial was held outside Old Trafford on from the tragedy on Thursday, with members of the men’s women’s and academy teams present in attendance, while tributes were also paid at the Manchesterplatz in Munich.
Fans were also outside Old Trafford, while the club livestreamed the service and posting a social media post reading: ‘We loved them then. We love them now. Today, and every day, we remember the Busby Babes, the #FlowersOfManchester.’
In 1958, 23 people died as a result of a crash that saw a plane from Munich carrying the Manchester United squad burst through a fence off the runway and crash into a house.
The plane, which had 44 people on board in total, had stopped in Munich to refuel after a match in Yugoslavia where United had knocked Red Star Belgrade out of the European Cup to reach the semi-finals.
The club, meanwhile, came together on Thursday to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, with current manager Amorim seen speaking to Ferguson.
Ruben Amorim (right) joined Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United’s memorial for the Munich Air Disaster on Wednesday
Bosses and captains of the men’s and women’s teams were central to the service outside Old Trafford
Amorim greeted fans as he arrived just over 24 hours out from his side’s FA Cup fourth round game against Leicester
Amorim was seen greeting fans as he arrived, a little over 24 hours before United take on Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round.
He stood next to women’s team manager Mike Skinner for the service, as well as captain Maya Le Tissier and men’s skipper Fernandes.
He was seen bowed alongside four wraths that had been laid as fans watched the service from behind a fence.
The service remembered the 23 people who lost their lives, including players Geoff Bent, Eddie Colman and Duncan Edwards, who initially survived by died of his injuries 15 days later.
Also among the victims were club secretary Walter Crickmer and chief coach Bert Whalley, journalists Frank Swift and Donny Davies and pilot Kenneth Rayment.
Among those on board who survived were Bobby Charlton, Harry Gregg and manager Matt Busby.
Take-off was twice abandoned because of boost surging, with the passengers taken off the plane after the second abandonment with the belief that they would instead fly the next day.
They did, though, get back on the plane, and the latest enquiry found that the crash was caused by slush on the runway that slowed the plane too much, meaning it could not take off, and, after it crashed through a fence, across a road and into a house, part of the tail tore off and the left side of the cockpit hit a tree.
United traditionally hold a service on the anniversary of the tragedy, which saw 23 people lose their lives
The Portuguese bowed his head alongside women’s team manager Mike Skinner (left)
The tradedy occurred after slush on the runway caused the plane to skid and hit a house
There were worries that United would fold, but they were saved and went onto become the force they are today
In the aftermath, it was worried United as a business would fold, but donations, including of players – with rivals Liverpool offering stars on loan – helped them carry on going.
Every year, United remember the victims on the anniversary, with Amorim, who has endured a mixed start to life at Old Trafford, the latest head coach or manager to attend having taken over from Erik ten Hag late last year.
His side are currently 13th in the Premier League table and looking to salvage something from their season – at least in the FA Cup and Europe.
They will host Leicester on Friday night, which will also mark the return of former assistant manager and caretaker boss Ruud van Nistelrooy for the first time since he departed.
