03 February 2024 , 22:30
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Bruno Fernandes has told his Manchester United team-mates that they must pay their respects to the tragic Busby Babes every time they play.
The United captain will lay a wreath to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the air crash that wiped out Sir Matt Busby’s brilliant team ahead of the clash against West Ham - and will also represent Erik ten Hag’s squad at an Old Trafford ceremony on Tuesday.
Fernandes has been a regular visitor to the club’s museum to learn more about the team that died on the ice-bound runway of the Munich-Riem Airport - and the way Busby rebuilt the club to become European champions a decade later.
But the Portuguese midfielder believes that United’s players have a responsibility to cherish the legacy left behind by Roger Byrne, Tommy Taylor, Eddie Colman, Billy Whelan, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Geoff Bent and Duncan Edwards every time they wear the shirt.
Fernandes said: “Being at United isn’t about leaving a mark or making history. It’s about showing the respect that the club deserves - and that means always doing the best that we can.
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“Every time you step on the pitch it’s a chance to show that you deserve to wear the shirt and you deserve to be at this club. The past is brilliant but we have to make the future even brighter.
“The history of this club is amazing. It’s such a special feeling being part of it. But there are good memories and there are bad memories. Everyone who has played for United in the last 66 years is aware of the Busby Babes - but also know what was built after the disaster.
“We are told what the club was about both before and after Munich. You get educated as soon as you arrive at the club to know what happened. I have been to the club museum with family and friends to learn more about that time. It’s important to know about the history of the club - and I think everyone should do it.
A Manchester United tribute to the Busby Babes (@ManUtd/Twitter)“When you go to the museum you see the story. I have family and friends who are passionate about the club and when they come here they like to see everything.”
Fernandes added: “Everyone knows that, when you come to this club, there are certain demands. The Busby Babes left a legacy at the club that demands every player and manager has to play in a way that the fans want.
“That has been the case for so many years and it gives a responsibility to everyone involved with United. We know that we must play in a certain way that shows respect to those players who stepped onto the pitch for this club in the past.”
This year’s anniversary of the tragedy will be particularly poignant. Sir Bobby Charlton, the last of the Babes, passed away in October at the age of 86 after a lifetime of service as a player and director at Old Trafford.
Fernandes said: “Everyone knows what Sir Bobby Charlton was - and what he meant for Manchester United. It doesn’t make this anniversary more special, because every year we want to pay our respects to those who were involved at Munich.
“Of course, we are proud to follow in their footsteps. Those players built the story of the club - and after the disaster, it was built even more because the supporters and team became even closer. I think when bad situations happen in life you become tighter with the people close to you.”