Published By: Rohit Chatterjee

The Holy Trinity of Manchester United

The Holy Trinity statue outside the Theatre of Dreams is not merely a powerful piece of Manchester United’s history but also a symbolic part of world football

The year was 1958 and Manchester United was a dangerous side under the command of Sir Matt Busby. Manchester United was on fire and that year, they made it to the semi-finals of the European Cup after defeating Red Star Belgrade. After winning the match, the next day (6 February 1958); the team boarded a plane to fly back to Manchester from Belgrade. The plane stationed at Munich for refuelling and once the refuelling was done; the plane was ready to resume its journey. 

The flight crew struggled to take off twice but could not because of engine problems. However, they tried to take off once more, but the runway was carpeted with thick blankets of snow. The plane could not take off and crashed. That day, seven players of Manchester United were lost eternally. Not to forget, an eighth player Duncan Edwards passed away 15 days later in hospital. The talented side of Manchester United was shattered in a single day. 

It took an entire year for Sir Matt Busby to recover from the injuries and trauma of the tragedy. Sir Busby was determined to bring a European laurel to the club and therefore; he began to assemble a modern Manchester United team. He brought in players and, in the process, the trio of Dennis Law, George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton was invented; the Holy Trinity. 

George Best- Best was a product of the Manchester United youth team who gained promotion to the senior team in 1963. He was only 17 when he entered the senior team and by 19, Best was the best. From 1963 to 1974, George Best played 361 games for Manchester United and scored 137 goals. 

Dennis Law- Dennis Law’s first stint with United was in 1960 but he left the team to join Torino in 1961. However, after one year, he came back to Manchester United in 1962 to remain till 1973. His string of performances made him the first-ever United player to win the Ballon d’Or. 

Sir Bobby Charlton- Sir Bobby was a senior player of the team who joined United in 56 and played till 1973. Appeared in 606 games, he scored 199 goals which made him an icon. 

These three players together led United to its first European Cup in 1968; exactly 10 years after the Munich tragedy. And that is how they became the Holy Trinity.