MUNICH disaster survivor Albert Scanlon was battling for life in hospital last night.

The former Busby Babe was admitted to Salford's Hope Hospital on Wednesday with pneumonia and kidney problems.

The ex-Manchester United legend was last night said to be `stable but critical'.

Scanlon, who was 74 earlier this month, was one of the Busby Babes aboard the ill-fated plane that crashed on take-off and burst into flames at Munich on February 6, 1958.

Eight of the Babes died in the crash or from their injuries. In total 23 people on board, including flight crew, journalists and club staff, lost their lives.

Family man Scanlon, who lives modestly in Salford, was pulled out of the wreckage by Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Harry Gregg and was later found to have fractured his skull.

He recovered and his pending transfer to Arsenal was abandoned. He went on to play 115 times for his beloved Reds, notching up 34 goals until 1960, when he moved to Newcastle and then subsequently to Lincoln and Mansfield.

Scanlon has never relished talking about the tragedy but in the M.E.N's 50th anniversary Munich Remembered supplement he said of the Babes: "I think they would have got a lot better.

"There was such a lot there, such a lot of youngsters. It probably was at the time one of the best club sides ever. It was not actually a team or two teams. It was one of the first clubs to have a squad."

Scanlon, a winger with a dry sense of humour, has been an active member of the Association of Former Manchester United Players.

Secretary David Sadler said: "It is terribly sad to hear of Albert's admission to hospital. The ex-players and fans hold him in special affection.

"Everyone is praying he has a speedy recovery."