UNITED ACADEMY PAY RESPECTS IN BELGRADE
Manchester United Academy staff are in Belgrade for Wednesday's UEFA Youth League tie against Brodarac and have visited the Hotel Majestic, where the Busby Babes stayed after their final match together against Red Star six decades ago.
Distinguished guests attended a reception on Monday evening, in the same room where Sir Matt Busby and his side had dinner after securing progress in the European Cup with a thrilling 3-3 draw.
The United squad signed the hotel menu on that fateful night in February 1958 and it is clear the venue still mourns their loss, 60 years after 23 people, including eight players, suffered fatal injuries when the plane taking them home crashed in Munich.
Vladica Popovic, now 82, played for Red Star in that historic match against United and was one of the VIPs at Monday's event, which featured emotional speeches from United Academy staff Tony Whelan and Dave Bushell. Another ex-Red Star man, Dan Tana, also a former owner of Brentford Football Club in London, spoke about his remarkable careers in football and the film industry. He chatted with the widow of the late United goalkeeper and coach Jack Crompton - Sheila is a special guest of the party that travelled from Manchester.
The Brodarac and United Under-19 squads were shown video footage of the Busby Babes in action and the youngsters learned more about the Munich Air Disaster by watching MUTV's acclaimed documentary. The Serbian players then handed gifts to their English counterparts, while Nicky Butt, the Reds' Head of Academy, presented framed photographs to Popovic and the club's hosts.
With club statistician Cliff Butler on hand to impart his remarkable knowledge, it was a special occasion and one that illustrated the great respect in which the Reds are held in his particular part of the world, with more events planned on Tuesday.
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