Manchester United unveils statue of legendary assistant manager Jimmy Murphy outside the Stretford side at Old Trafford, commemorating the club legend for his role in rebuilding the Red Devils after the 1958 Munich plane crash
- Jimmy Murphy played a key role in Man United’s rebuilding after the Munich plane crash
- He led them to the FA Cup final after eight players died in the disaster
- A statue of the club legend has been unveiled in Stretford End at Old Trafford
Manchester United have unveiled a statue of club legend Jimmy Murphy outside Old Trafford.
Murphy, who was Sir Matt Busby’s assistant during his iconic managerial reign, is credited with leading United out of the devastation of the 1958 Munich air disaster, which killed eight players and left Busby seriously ill in hospital.
The Welshman was a pivotal figure in the development of the Busby Babes, temporarily taking charge and leading United against all odds to the FA Cup final that season.
Wednesday’s statute ceremony marked 65 years since Murphy led the team at Wembley.
It stands at the famous Stretford end of the ground and shows the club icon enthusiastically leading forward with a ball under his arm.
The United youth team attended the event, as did former United players Brian Kidd and Alex Stepney, who unveiled the statue. Sir Alex Ferguson was not on the ground but did speak via video.
Aside from his coaching career, which also saw him take Wales to the 1958 World Cup, Murphy made over 200 appearances for West Brom in a career cut short by the outbreak of the Second World War.
He was later brought to United by Busby to oversee the youth setup, and was instrumental in building a reputation that was maintained by the club’s academy seven decades later.
United boss Erik ten Hag said ahead of the unveiling at the Jimmy Murphy Center in Carrington: “I am very pleased that the club is giving so much credit and congratulations to the most important person in Manchester United’s history.
‘He stands for more symbols: a symbol of youth and youth development. He represents resilience and determination, which are the standards for Man United.
“After Munich, a manager and many players dropped out. The club was devastated and they bounced back, and this person was the main one. It is quite right that he should be given credit for this. The Jimmy Murphy Center, the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year and now this statue – it’s fantastic.
Erik ten Hag (left) praised Jimmy Murphy ahead of the unveiling of his Manchester United statue
“I know the culture of Man United, I knew that before. Of course I worked for a long time in youth football. I have met Man United several times in major tournaments in the Netherlands.’
On the emphasis on exciting young players at Old Trafford that Murphy helped build in the 1950s, ten Hag added: ‘Back in the day everyone knew and talked about the Busby Babes and the ’92 generation.
“Man United have a great history of youth development and in our conversations last year that was one of the points we talked about.
“Ajax, like Man United, was developing young players, giving opportunities to young players. There is a way to the first team, but they have to earn it.’