In the latest episode of UTD Podcast, Manchester United legend Paddy Crerand says the fans will never forget the legendary players that have graced Old Trafford.
The 1968 European Cup winner speaks about the legacy of some of his former team-mates and how they, and other Old Trafford greats, are fondly worshipped by the United faithful.
In an essential listen for all Reds fans, Crerand also brings up stories about George Best as well as Duncan Edwards and his fellow Busby Babes.
The full episode with Paddy is available now in our Official App and other streaming platforms will soon follow.
During his chat with presenters Sam Homewood, Helen Evans and ex-Reds defender David May, Crerand was asked about the appreciation supporters have shown for the great players that have graced the pitch at the Theatre of Dreams.
The 82-year-old from Glasgow, who starred for the Reds between 1963 and 1971, said: “That’s something that’s been at the club since before my time, in actual fact.
”You look at the lads in Munich, how they are remembered. Johnny Carey was another great, great player, he won the FA Cup in 1948. There have been a lot of great players here at Manchester United and none of them are forgotten.
“I think, when you get to my age, you remember them more. A lot of people your age might not remember. Your mum wouldn’t have been born then, probably!”
One of the legendary stars Crerand played with in the 1968 European Cup-winning side was George Best, who scored twice in the final and was presented with the Ballon d’Or during that same glorious year. The incredible no.7 became a global superstar during his years at United.
“He’d drive you mad at times as he liked to beat everybody [with the ball],”
admitted Paddy. “But he was a lovely lad and a great, great player.
”When we went to the FA Cup final in 1963, the club took George on the trip even though he was only 16. We didn’t see a great deal of him then but the year after we saw the young kids and obviously George was one of them.“
Crerand remembers well an early Best game against Chelsea, when the Belfast Boy proved his doubters wrong.
“I was great friends with [Chelsea defender] Eddie McCreadie, he was from near my area in Glasgow. He’s a great, great lad, Eddie, and I saw George destroy him. I felt so sorry for him.
”I was playing in the game as well. George came in from the side by the right-back position and chipped it in the goal into the far corner of the net. You just started clapping, and Eddie McCreadie… I felt so sorry for the boy.“
To listen to the Paddy Crerand edition of UTD Podcast in full, and find all the previous episodes, download our Official App.