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Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby, who died ten years ago today.
Sir Matt’s legacy lives on at Old Trafford, from the attacking footballing philosophy, to the emphasis on youth development deep-rooted in the club. Sir Alex Ferguson was surprised that ten years have passed since Sir Matt’s death on 20 January 1994.
”I was quite surprised when I realised it was ten years since Sir Matt’s death,” said the United boss. “I remember it so clearly. The Everton game after Sir Matt died was a very emotional game. I don’t think anybody came through that match without a tear in their eye.
"I thought he was a fantastic man. He was a person I wish I’d met earlier in my life.
”When I first came down to Manchester, he was a great influence on me. He helped me at a time when I probably needed it most. The foundations of everything that has happened at this club were made by Sir Matt Busby.”
"The foundations of everything that has happened at this club were made by Sir Matt Busby. That's his legacy, and it will always be there."
Sir Alex Ferguson
Ferguson is well known for his heavy investment in youth development – United’s youth policy, in particular the Class of ’92, provided the foundations of much of the success Sir Alex’s teams have had in the past ten years.
But, Sir Alex attributes those blueprints of success to a continuation of the ideals set in place when Busby first took over as United boss almost sixty years ago in 1945.
”His legacy is producing a formula which Manchester United have stayed by always; and that's giving young players a chance. When he came here at the end of the war, United’s stadium wasn’t being used as it had been bombed during the Second World War. He still managed to resurrect a team to win the FA Cup in 1948, he then won his first title in 1952. In that team he introduced some young players, which became folklore."
Busby’s youth policy came to fruition when, after United’s youth teams won the FA Youth Cup five years running (1952-57), the graduating young players formed the nucleus of the team that became known as the Busby Babes.
”Unfortunately, most of that team was killed in Munich,” said Sir Alex. “But he then rebuilt a team to win the European Cup within ten years – that was absolutely phenomenal. That’s his legacy, and it will always be there.”
Manchester United will be flying the club flag at half-mast out of respect for Sir Matt.
Sir Matt Busby, 26 May 1909 - 20 January 1994
Sir Matt’s legacy lives on at Old Trafford, from the attacking footballing philosophy, to the emphasis on youth development deep-rooted in the club. Sir Alex Ferguson was surprised that ten years have passed since Sir Matt’s death on 20 January 1994.
”I was quite surprised when I realised it was ten years since Sir Matt’s death,” said the United boss. “I remember it so clearly. The Everton game after Sir Matt died was a very emotional game. I don’t think anybody came through that match without a tear in their eye.
"I thought he was a fantastic man. He was a person I wish I’d met earlier in my life.
”When I first came down to Manchester, he was a great influence on me. He helped me at a time when I probably needed it most. The foundations of everything that has happened at this club were made by Sir Matt Busby.”
"The foundations of everything that has happened at this club were made by Sir Matt Busby. That's his legacy, and it will always be there."
Sir Alex Ferguson
Ferguson is well known for his heavy investment in youth development – United’s youth policy, in particular the Class of ’92, provided the foundations of much of the success Sir Alex’s teams have had in the past ten years.
But, Sir Alex attributes those blueprints of success to a continuation of the ideals set in place when Busby first took over as United boss almost sixty years ago in 1945.
”His legacy is producing a formula which Manchester United have stayed by always; and that's giving young players a chance. When he came here at the end of the war, United’s stadium wasn’t being used as it had been bombed during the Second World War. He still managed to resurrect a team to win the FA Cup in 1948, he then won his first title in 1952. In that team he introduced some young players, which became folklore."
Busby’s youth policy came to fruition when, after United’s youth teams won the FA Youth Cup five years running (1952-57), the graduating young players formed the nucleus of the team that became known as the Busby Babes.
”Unfortunately, most of that team was killed in Munich,” said Sir Alex. “But he then rebuilt a team to win the European Cup within ten years – that was absolutely phenomenal. That’s his legacy, and it will always be there.”
Manchester United will be flying the club flag at half-mast out of respect for Sir Matt.
Sir Matt Busby, 26 May 1909 - 20 January 1994
