Sir Matt Busby was the manager at Manchester United from 1945 to 1969, taking the club to both League and Cup honours during his long and distinguished career at Old Trafford.

Sir Matt Busby took over the reins at Manchester United in October 1945, although his contract had been signed the previous February. From the moment the 35-year-old demobilized company sergeant-major arrived at the club things would never be the same again. The former Manchester City and Liverpool player immediately put his mark on the club and he demanded powers over the appointment of personnel and the buying and selling of players. Busby’s socialism no doubt transformed Manchester United into one of the giants of English football and during his first three years in charge the club finished First Division runners-up three times in a row as well as winning the FA Cup in 1948.

In 1958 tragedy struck when a British European Airways Elizabethan plane hit Munich Airport’s perimeter fence during its third attempt at take-off. After winning the Championship in 1952, 1956 and 1957, Busby’s immensly gifted Manchester United side were tragically destroyed. However, the legendary manager continued his search for the Holy grail and he will always be remembered for the European Cup Final in 1968 when Manchester United went on to trash Benfica 4-1. The memorable victory at Wembley Stadium was fully recognised as the long serving manager was most deservedly knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List shortly after.

When Sir Matt died on the 20th of January 1994, a vast amount of dedicated Manchester United supporters turned out to pay their last respects to the Scottish manager. On the 27th of April 1996, Manchester United Football Club unveiled a bronze statue at the Scoreboard End of Old Trafford in honour of the great man who was simply known as Mr. Manchester United. Sir Matt Busby had a second spell as Old Trafford manager during the 1970-71 season and he continued to be involved with the club for several years after his retirement.

“Resting in Interlaken, Germany was one thing and facing Old Trafford another. When I approached the ground and moved over the bridge along which our supporters had squeezed fifty abreast in there tens of thousands to shout for us I could scarcely bear to look. I knew the ghosts of the babes would still be there, and there they are still, and they will always be there as long as those who saw them still cross the bridge, young, gay, red ghosts on the green grass of Old Trafford.”

Sir Matt Busby quote.