How the Munich Air Disaster will be remembered

This will be the first time since 2020 that the traditional ceremony has been held on the 6 February anniversary, after pandemic-related restrictions made it impossible to hold the event last year. 

As usual, the service will be led “by the fans, for the fans”, with supporters’ group Munich58 co-ordinating and former club chaplain Rev John Boyers acting as master of ceremonies.

You can download the event brochure, containing an order of service.

Tributes were paid at our FA Cup fourth-round tie against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Friday, when interim manager Ralf Rangnick and the visitors' boss Chris Wilder placed wreaths on the pitch ahead of kick-off. The players wore black armbands during the game.

A giant banner was unfurled by fans ahead of kick-off in the Stretford End proclaiming the powerful words, ‘We’ll never die’.

Flags at Old Trafford will fly at half-mast until after the Under-18s match on Wednesday evening as a gesture of our everlasting respect.

Writing in his manager’s notes for the official match programme, United Review, Rangnick highlights the importance of these tributes.

“This is our closest game to the anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster and, as is customary, the club will be marking the occasion ahead of kick-off.

“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.”

Harry Maguire also understands how significant the Munich anniversary is.

“I think it is a really important day, the anniversary of the air disaster, a huge tragedy, but a tragedy where the club has built a lot of traditions and foundations to show togetherness with the fans,” said the captain.

“The club in general has shown a huge togetherness and that is what it has showed over the years, to rise again and show that spirit.”

The tragic events at Munich have also been marked by our other teams playing this weekend. Manchester United Women wore black arm bands in their away game against Arsenal, and Academy players will place remembrance flowers and wear black arm bands across their matches. 

The anniversary will also be marked in Munich, with members of the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation resuming their annual service at the crash site, now known as Manchesterplatz. Wreaths will be placed on behalf of the club, the Association of Former Manchester United Players and the fans. Two minutes’ silence will be observed and followed by the traditional singing of The Flowers of Manchester. 

Visit www.manutd.com/munich to learn more about the disaster and those lost.