23-12-2009, 12:51 PM
Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to former United player Albert Scanlon, who has died at the age of 74.
Born in Hulme on 10 October 1935, Scanlon came through the United youth system and made his debut for Matt Busby's first team in 1954, at the tender age of 19 – hence his inclusion in the group of players known as the 'Busby Babes'.
Outside forward Scanlon survived the Munich disaster in 1958 and went on to feature in all 42 league games for the Reds the following season.
Sir Alex said: "I have known Albert since I came to Manchester United and he was always a pleasant and delightful man. He was always cheery and never lost his sense of humour despite the experience he had, and to come through that shows his strength of character.
"He will be a great loss, as he was a popular man, and our condolences go to his family."
A title winner in 1956 and 1957, Scanlon was on the ill-fated flight from Belgrade to Manchester following a European Cup match in February 1958.
When the plane crashed after refuelling in Munich, Scanlon was among the survivors while eight of his team-mates and 15 other passengers and crew lost their lives.
Fellow survivor Sir Bobby Charlton was extremely saddened to hear of the death of his former team-mate, adding: “It was with enormous sadness that I received the news of Albert's passing.
Source: manutd.com
Born in Hulme on 10 October 1935, Scanlon came through the United youth system and made his debut for Matt Busby's first team in 1954, at the tender age of 19 – hence his inclusion in the group of players known as the 'Busby Babes'.
Outside forward Scanlon survived the Munich disaster in 1958 and went on to feature in all 42 league games for the Reds the following season.
Sir Alex said: "I have known Albert since I came to Manchester United and he was always a pleasant and delightful man. He was always cheery and never lost his sense of humour despite the experience he had, and to come through that shows his strength of character.
"He will be a great loss, as he was a popular man, and our condolences go to his family."
A title winner in 1956 and 1957, Scanlon was on the ill-fated flight from Belgrade to Manchester following a European Cup match in February 1958.
When the plane crashed after refuelling in Munich, Scanlon was among the survivors while eight of his team-mates and 15 other passengers and crew lost their lives.
Fellow survivor Sir Bobby Charlton was extremely saddened to hear of the death of his former team-mate, adding: “It was with enormous sadness that I received the news of Albert's passing.
Source: manutd.com