United

The drama opens in the autumn of 1956, tracing Manchester United’s ascent under manager Matt Busby and the intimate bond between assistant manager Jimmy Murphy and the young star Bobby Charlton. Under Busby, the club starts to cultivate the famed “Busby Babes,” a homegrown core built around Duncan Edwards at centre-half, Mark Jones at left-half, Eddie Colman on the outside, and David Pegg on the outside left. A rare signing then arrives in late 1957 with Northern Irish goalkeeper Harry Gregg. The team begins competing in the European Cup after winning the league, with Busby securing permission from Football League administrator Alan Hardaker to enter the competition so long as the players are back in time for each scheduled fixture, a condition they would honor in the 1956–57 campaign and again the following season after defending their domestic crown.

The club experiences success both at home and abroad, but tragedy shadows the squad when, on the return flight from a European Cup match in Belgrade, their plane crashes after refuelling in Munich. Seven players are killed, among them [Mark Jones], [Eddie Colman], and [David Pegg]. [Harry Gregg] plays a crucial role in saving survivors from the wreckage, while [Duncan Edwards] and Busby suffer serious injuries. Within a week, Charlton is allowed to leave the hospital and return to England, though Edwards and Busby remain in critical condition. Murphy was not on the plane due to his duties with the Welsh national side but flies out as soon as he can to visit his injured colleagues in hospital and travel home with Charlton.

Two weeks after the crash, Edwards dies in hospital, dealing a fresh blow to Charlton, who feels ready to give up football until a visit from Murphy rekindles his resolve and inspires him to return to United’s ranks. Against the odds, Murphy vows to assemble a team to play their next home match and, ultimately, guide the club to the 1958 FA Cup Final, taking charge of the first team through Busby’s recovery and reclamation of his leadership. The story captures the resilience and determination of a squad reeling from loss, the steady leadership of Murphy, and the enduring belief that the club’s future could still rise from the ashes of tragedy.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:59