Fans lead Munich Air Disaster memorial events

Friday marked the 68th anniversary of the tragedy that claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight Manchester United players and three officials.

Forever in our hearts and minds, the Munich Air Disaster is deep rooted in the club's identity and it has become a proud tradition for supporters to attend memorial services, both at Old Trafford and Manchesterplatz, the site of the crash.

Both memorial events are available to watch in full below.

Friday's event in M16 was led by Reverend John Boyers and, despite the rain, hundreds of Reds were in attendance. It included powerful readings from journalist Andy Mitten, Foundation participants and representatives from our Under-13 Academy sides.  

United’s respective head coaches Michael Carrick and Marc Skinner laid a wreath, followed by captains Bruno Fernandes and Maya Le Tissier, youth-team scholars and Duncan Drasdo from the Manchester United Supporters Trust. 

Club legend Sammy McIlroy spoke on stage about his memories of the tragedy as a young boy from Northern Ireland, who went on to make 419 appearances as a Red. 

Other attendees included United legends Darren Fletcher, Brian Kidd, Denis Irwin and Edwin van der Sar, as well as CEO Omar Berrada and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

In Germany, representatives from the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation (MMMF) led tributes at the Manchesterplatz Memorial in Munich, where they were joined by director of fan engagement Rick McGagh and former player Alex Stepney.

Travelling supporters, local residents and the Red Docs of Munich were also in attendance, plus Foundation participants and supporters’ clubs' representatives from around the world.

Wreaths were laid at the site of the crash, followed by a two-minute silence.

SATURDAY

We invite ticket holders to attend a 30-minute matchday memorial service at Old Trafford, which will take place at 10.30 under the Munich clock (East Stand). 

Flags will fly at half-mast, the team will lay a wreath and the families of the Busby Babes will be in attendance for the game.

Fans are kindly requested to be in their seats for the Flowers of Manchester which will play 15 minutes before kick-off. 

With thanks to The Red Army, the We’ll Never Die surfer banner will be unfurled across the Lower Stretford End and a commemorative drop-down banner will be displayed across Tier 2 of the Stretford End for the player walkout moment.