Manchester United’s interim head coach Michael Carrick was among the attendees for the Munich air disaster remembrance service.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick attended the Munich air disaster remembrance service on Friday. Carrick was joined by club captain Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford.
Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Andy Burnham were also in attendance on the 68th anniversary of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight United players.
Each year on the anniversary of the Munich air disaster, thousands of people attend memorial services at Old Trafford and Manchesterplatz, the site of the crash.
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Carrick spoke eloquently about the tragedy at his press conference on Thursday. “It means a great deal,” he said. “I was just saying about how long did it take to kind of love this place and love being in this place, it was quickly and as soon as you come you are made aware.
“You can’t help but know and understand the history and I think it’s a responsibility that when you work here, you play, you coach, you understand what’s come before us and the behaviours and responsibilities that we need to carry through.
“Munich is probably the biggest part of the history of this club in terms of the tragedy itself and how the team and the football club bounced back from it and then went on to success.”
Carrick added: “When I came, Sir Alex would mention it. It was important to him and was important to us and then it ends up becoming a way of life. I think it’s important that we carried it on.
“I was here for the 50th [anniversary], I was here for the 60th, you’ve got the 70th, not sure yet. Being aware of it and being around it you really feel that emotion. Inside the stadium on Saturday I’m sure we’ll feel it as well.”
Reverend John Boyers led the service, while Manchester United Foundation participants, representatives from the Under-13 girls’ and boys’ academy teams and Sammy McIlroy were also involved.