Sir Bobby Charlton recently gave a talk to the present squad to make sure they all knew what the club went through after the air disaster in 1958.
The former Busby Babe ended by telling Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Co to win the European Cup this year as a tribute to those who died 50 years ago on that freezing runway in Germany.
The United director, a part of the 1968 European Cup winning side, felt sure that Sir Alex Ferguson's men could take on that challenge.
"I had no qualms at all about saying it to this group of players," Charlton told MEN Sport.
"It wasn't pressure. I would never put pressure on them.
"They have their own careers and Munich is a long time ago.
Fair
"It wouldn't be fair to put total responsibility on them to win the Champions League to help commemorate the 50th anniversary of the tragedy.
"They will make their own mark. They know they will make their own history if they win the European Cup.
"That's what it should be about for them.
"But there is no doubt that if they can beat Chelsea next week in the final, there will be a lot of satisfaction among anyone who was connected with Munich.
"It would be perfect, as it was Matt Busby who pioneered the idea of English clubs competing in Europe - and the Babes who would have done so well in it but for the tragedy.
"That history is not lost on these players now. All of them who come here sometimes get a little puzzled by the effect that what happened in Munich has had on Manchester United.
"But when the club asked Nobby Stiles and I to talk about Munich and the effect it had on United to the players earlier in the year, they understood it and were fascinated by it.
"They appreciate and are aware what it is all about. It is a nostalgic and poignant year but they should be looking to win it to make their own history."
Advice
It was United's Moscow opponents Chelsea who took the Football League advice and refused to enter the European Cup as England's representatives in 1955 when they were title holders, while Matt Busby went against orders to enter the Reds in 1956.
United go to Russia as the Premier League champions and Charlton believes they deserve that honour.
"This team would deserve to add the European Cup to the title," he added.
"We have seen some sensational goals attacking football. Ask any of the fans and they will say this has been a great season, no matter what happens.
"But it is something to be really, really proud of to win the Champions League. If you win this, you are one of the best teams in the world and that is something to tell your grandchildren."
Do you think United will win the Champions League, and if so what will be the deciding factor? Have your say.
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Mr C., Chorlton, Manchester. (14/05/2008 at 09:32)
I agree with you Sir Bobby but only if the team that wins it have been serious challengers for their own domestic title. It doesn't apply to these teams that win it after competing so poorly in the own domestic league in the past. I don't think I need to name names.
i bleed Man United, Botswana (14/05/2008 at 10:11)
george (14/05/2008 at 11:36)
Lord Ruud (14/05/2008 at 11:51)
50 years since Munich disaster, 40 years since our first European cup. Are these omens? Let's hope so...
dave clare, perth australia (14/05/2008 at 11:55)
I take it you mean liverpool,if that is the way you think. Then it should be only teams who finish first in their respective leagues who enter the champs league. So would you have moaned about united if they won it, and not their league. I very much doubt it you muppet, to think you call us bitter.
Bryan Robson, Dimna, Norway (14/05/2008 at 12:02)
Brown - Rio - Vida - Evra
Hargo - Carrick - Scholes - Park
Rooney - Ronaldo
Subs: Kuzza - Giggs - Anderson - Fletcher - Nani - Tevez - Pique
george (14/05/2008 at 12:30)
Gillian England (14/05/2008 at 12:37)
VDS
Brown
Rio
Vidic
Evra
Anderson
Hargreaves
Scholsey
Ronaldo
Rooney
Nani
Reserves
Kitkat
Giggsy
O Shea
Carrick
Tevez sorry mate just not enough space in the team but def to come on tho '
Khalad Mahmood, Silet, Bangladesh (14/05/2008 at 12:41)
Macca, Cornwall (14/05/2008 at 13:02)
This is a one off game. No 2nd leg. No away goal rule. Both teams away from home in the same position. Therefore we will not play this system because we are not at OT, we will play a system that possibly matches Chelseas power in midfield, but apart from that your point is flawed as both teams are in the same position.
Ferguson will know what to do, and although i do agree to a few points u make now and again, this is not one of them.
Mr C., Chorlton, Manchester. (14/05/2008 at 13:05)
Here's some stats
UCL FINAL 2007: Milan (21) v Liverpool (21)
UCL FINAL 2006: Arsenal (24) v Barca (champs)
UCL FINAL 2005: Liverpool (37) v Milan (7)
The figures in brackets are the amount of points that team finished behind their domsetic champions.
Barca won the UCL in 2006, they were also the champions of their domestic league in the same season (they were truly the best team in Europe at the time).
Considering Chelsea have pushed United all the way this season and only have finished 2 pts behind they will also deserve top recognition if they beat United in the UCL FINAL 2008, as would United if they were to win.
My point is muppet, it's a lot harder to win the UCL FINAL if you have been pushing for you domestic title in that same season, as it's a greater testament to your squad strength!
USARed1, Woodbury,Connecticut,USA (14/05/2008 at 13:29)
VDS
Brow Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Hargreves
Carrick Scholes Ronaldo
Tevez Rooney
Pob (14/05/2008 at 14:01)
I have never contributed to these pages before, im more of an interested observer, but as a life long United fan and season ticket holder, I have to say that your last post is one of the best I have read. Facts in place to back up your argument. Barcelona were worthy of being called a great team, and United or Chelsea will be worthy of the accolades they will receive dependant upon the result. As for Liverpool, youve pretty much covered it. One more point, fair play to United for being the only unbeaten team in this years competition so far, lets hope it stays that way.
Aneesh, Canada (14/05/2008 at 15:42)
Charles Patrick (14/05/2008 at 16:03)
Furthermore it is reasonable to question whether third and fourth placed teams should even be part of a competition named the 'Champions' league.
christian huyton (14/05/2008 at 18:29)
flafan, kendal (14/05/2008 at 19:39)
hope someone can help...
COLIN,, Canada (14/05/2008 at 22:25)
TMUF, Manchester (15/05/2008 at 00:08)
Mrs Fullaway`s lodger (15/05/2008 at 06:23)
completely right in what you say, and shows how outstanding the 98/99 squad was... and also having a quench of luck in the game against Bayern Munich.
In 1968, before they became so bitter, we were only pipped for the title by another good team.
With the bar in EPL being raised all the time, last year us losing the semis because we ran out of players and SAF strengthening the squad as he did last summer, shows that he sees it similar to you.
Being Champions and reaching the final of the CL this year, shows we have the best squad in Europe again, (only the referee kicked us out of the FA Cup), now to win the CL final, a quench of luck, like last time, is also needed!!!
UNITED! UNITED! UNITED!
OGS, Oslo (15/05/2008 at 09:17)
j the el, mancunia (15/05/2008 at 14:47)
Ex-Kippax Ferryman, manchester (15/05/2008 at 14:56)
bellion's boots,, Amsterdam (15/05/2008 at 18:52)
For the memory of the team that never got there!!Meanwhile chel$ki are on the mind-games - (again!).Of course they are ciorrect we bought all the refeeres this last season! (Still waiting for refunds from most of them of course!)
Makes comical & topical reading - of course.
Article in Times -
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3934804.ece
Come On You Reds
We are going to bring it home!!
Happy Valley Barry, San Francisco, California (15/05/2008 at 18:54)
was as good an anyone in his
day, could beat a player from
8 yard away and get off a
rocket shot from distance,
all on a pack of cigarettes
at day too. Had Charleton
not smoked, Best not drank
and both endured the training
our team receives today,
and their diet, this pair
would be starting for United
today, throw a modern day
Denis Law up top and you're
looking at the greatest team
in the history of football.
Up the Reds,