The Busby Babes: Part Ten

Thirty-one years on from the European Cup triumph of 1968 Manchester United are training at the Camp Nou ahead of their appearance in the final of Champions League.

May 26 1999 is set to be another momentous day in the club's history. By coincidence it will mark the 90th birthday of Busby, who died in 1994 having seen Ferguson end the club's 26-year wait for a league title last won in the season prior to the triumph at Wembley.

On the pitch Alex Ferguson wears a replica shirt from the 1968 triumph. It is at once a gesture which pays homage to those who went before, a show of pride, of honour and of heritage. It is also, in no small part, a canny device designed to inspire his players.

The challenge for Ferguson and his players was to emulate and honour Busby and his players, those who triumphed in 1968 and those who perished in 1958.

In memorium:

Players: Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor, Liam Whelan.

Journalists: Alf Clarke, Don Davies, George Follows, Tom Jackson, Archie Ledbrooke, Henry Rose, Eric Thompson, Frank Swift.

Also killed: Walter Crickmer (club secretary), Bert Whalley (chief coach), Tom Curry (trainer), Capt Kenneth Rayment (co-pilot), Bela Miklos (travel agent), Willie Satinoff (supporter), Tom Cable (steward).