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Manchester United's destruction of Arsenal was the ultimate tribute to the Busby Babes
A new generation are thrilling Old Trafford – so how do the Nani and Rooney side compare with the Becks and Busby eras?
by Joe Morris on 20 February 2008
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A couple of weeks ago the world paid tribute to Manchester United’s Busby Babes who were wiped out on a Munich runway 50 years ago. It has been a fortnight heavy with sadness and solemnity, a time to grieve. The names were full of meaning, players with fresh faces and a golden future in front of them. There was the immense Duncan Edwards, the powerful Tommy Taylor, Roger Byrne – cut from the finest cloth – and Eddie Coleman, full of vim and verve. But in their FA Cup fifth round tie against closest Premier League rivals Arsenal, Manchester United re-discovered all of those 1950s mannerisms.
Oh Manchester United, how I compare thee to a summer's day even on a cold winter's evening. United unleashed their full attacking artillery and Arsenal just dodged the grenades. Arsenal were treated like unwelcome intruders at an important function. In their last match in England before the Munich air disaster United visited Highbury and gave the Gunners a kicking. They beat Arsenal 5-4 in possibly the grandest footballing exhibition ever given by that magnificent team. Fifty years later the United of those beautifully balanced Brazilians Nani and Anderson did their predecessors proud. Wayne Rooney, of course, continues to enchant with that almost playground genius of his and the Old Trafford supporting cast always remember their lines. When United were winning the Premier League for fun the midfield boiler room of David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes played some of the most exquisite football Old Trafford had ever seen. Comparisons with United sides of the present day and those from the 1990s and 1950s are never valid. But once again there was a style and almost poetic symmetry about some of United's movements. Michael Carrick once again paraded some of the silkiest passing since David Beckham. Carrick swung the ball across the pitch like a pendulum, short and sweet, long and languid. If Carrick had been any more relaxed he'd have probably crashed out on a sofa. Darren Fletcher also gave a tantalising glimpse of the kind of player who Scotland can still nurture. Tall and leggy, Fletcher loped across Old Trafford like a gazelle on the plain. The timing of his crosses still leaves something to be desired but against Arsenal he was very desirable. So by half time United were heading for another bite at the FA Cup quarter-finals. Sir Alex Ferguson was all smiles and sweetness and light. Why is it that he always hugs the Red Devil mascot and then waves at somebody in the crowd? Perhaps this is Fergie at his most superstitious. Arsenal trooped away from Manchester disconsolately and United can look forward to an FA Cup quarter-final against Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth. Both Fergie and Redknapp come from similar footballing stock. Both share an infectious enjoyment of the game but, in this momentous and poignant year, it is only Fergie who will be on the road to Wembley again.
Comments (23)
by g s on February 20, 2008
well the ultimate tribute would be the city game, and city showed everyone who is the real team of manchester
by paul rogers on February 20, 2008
The biggest tribute to those 23 who lost their lives would be the full recognition of the most important person in Manchester Uniteds history. Namely Jimmy Murphy. The man who built the busby babes and was the success for everything they achieved in the 50's, 60's and beyond. The sooner Man U and their fans pay tribute to him the better. His lack of recognition is a travesty and shame on the club. For a brief of who he is see below http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Murphy_(fo otballer)
by m east on February 20, 2008
the tribute was the day of the minute silence was also the day city coasted united and the boys went 5 points clear
by Gooner Adam on February 20, 2008
That game has still counted for nothing. Unless Manure actually win the FA Cup it will be forgotten about. Does anyone talk about the time Arsenal thrashed them 4-0 in the League Cup in the 01-02 Double Season? No. There you go.
by JP f on February 20, 2008
No, but no-one talks about the 5-1 and 6-2 humpings we've given you in the league in the last 7 seasons either, so it's not just the cups......
by Clock End Gooner on February 20, 2008
I think the Man United fans expressed the ultimate tribute to the Busby Babes, by cashing in on those commemorative scarfs on ebay the very next day for a few extra quid. N' they had the audacity to threaten the Man City fans if they spoiled the day! ha ha! N' rather than put it all to bed... they now say a game against a severely weakened Arsenal side, A WEEK LATER (in which they happened to win, rather than getting stuffed at home), is the true tribute?!! HA HA! MAN UNITED FANS SHOWING THEIR TRUE COLOURS, YET AGAIN!! N' YOU WONDER WHY YOU CUNTS ARE HATED SO MUCH? Using an awful tragedy, to have a little dig at Arsenal? For shame!
by Linton Muir on February 20, 2008
The 90 minutes silence versus Man C was more impressive than the very expensive team beating an injury ravaged one.
Can you refresh my memory as to when the last time you lot beat us 5-1 & 6-2 please? I'LL WAIT FOR YOUR REPLY WITH INTEREST!
by Paul London on February 20, 2008
This had nothing whatsoever to do with the Busby Babes, or the FA Cup for that matter. Utd only played well because they were embarrassed by a spineless display against Man City, who played them off the park. And Arsenal made it easy for them because they weren't prepared to kill themselves chasing a trophy that they're not that bothered about this season. Arsenal will not play that badly again and I doubt that Utd will play that well again. In the greater scheme of things this game proved nothing.
by WHAT THE_FUK? on February 20, 2008
A better tribute would have been winning on the anniversary of the Munich "disaster". Lame journalism, yet again from this site.
by Rehan Ashraf on February 20, 2008
We beat United 4-0 in the Legue Cup in Nov 01, yet we did not sing about it like United are now! If we had a full strength side with no QF versus Milan THEN you lot can crow could crow about the result. In all honesty, the Mancs have had lots of money to spend for eons, buying up their rivals players by tapping them up. The fact that your interest payments work to £40m a year, we'll see how you cope once you have to start replacing the dead wood and are financially constrained as well. He who laughs last laughs loudest!
by Gooner Forever on February 20, 2008
As has already been mentioned, Filthy Man U lost the chance to pay tribute to the busby pr*cks when they were destroyed by City. And the fact remains we did not give 2 hoots about the FA CUP, whereas ManU Filth looked as though their dirty little lives depended on it. It is the only silverware ManU will get anywhere near to winning this year. Happy days that Gallas didn't get a ban too. Doesn't that just grate your pr*ck of a manager. Love it.
by irish fenian bastid on February 20, 2008
nani is portugese u numpty.... syas it all. mancy bollocks. arsenal will win the league and fergie will realise he can spend as much as he wants but AW will always come out on top. Wnger will live forever.
by davio knobsville on February 20, 2008
It might have been a better tribute if Man U donated the proceeds from the game to the families of the victims of the crash or a suitable charity.
by Larf at the Manure on February 20, 2008
If Arsenal had won 3-0 and then Man U had beaten, say Derby, 1-0, then you would have said that was the ultimate tribute. And anyway, why are the Busby babes mourned so much? Yes it was very sad but the Queen's mother wasn't mourned as much as this. They are still people, why do they deserve more than everyone else?
Are you by any chance gay?: 'those beautifully balanced Brazilians Nani and Anderson ' 'Michael Carrick: Gazelle-like ' I rest my case
by Syd R on February 20, 2008
Being an Arsenal fan I can only say that Man U's win on Saturday was due to the closest thing to a thrown game by the losers. If we had lost by the odd goal it would have been easier to take but Wenger, who has a very narrow list of priorities, chose a team that hardly stood a chance against Man U at Old Trafford. It was a stupid and short sighted move but not as bad as the one he made when he picked the team that was demolished by Spurs in the Carling Cup.
Danny the article is just someone baiting the minority of the Arsenal supporters too. Most will show respect to the victims, also Arsenal was the last club Man U played over in England before the crash but not in there lifetime eh.
by mahesh kolary on February 20, 2008
nani aint a brazillian,buddy.... anderson is,nani isnt...nani's portugese.. better to avoid such glaring errors in such atricles... cheers,editor..
by Arse Bandit on February 21, 2008
I agree with you Man Tastic. I have been an Arsenal supporter since birth but firmly belive we are crap and ManU are super fantastic. I agree with all of your comments but must also add that Northern MEN also make better lovers than us southern shandy drinkers.
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