Although he lost consciousness, Charlton escaped serious injuries and went on to become one of England’s all-time greats, scoring 49 goals in 106 appearances for his country and also scoring twice in United’s 4-1 victory over Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final.

Morgans, an 18-year-old winger at the time, was knocked out by the impact and was discovered four hours after the crash among the suitcases in the luggage compartment at the back of the plane.

“Two German reporters went back to the plane and they were looking for something and I was still in the plane at that point,” he said.

Bill Foulkes, a centerback who went on to play on the team that won the European Cup 10 years later, couldn’t believe the pilot was going to attempt a third takeoff.

“I felt we were in trouble and I was waiting to see what they were going to do, but they said ’No — we go.’ I thought, ’This is stupid, they’re going to take off.’

“The back end (of the plane) came up and I saw it come up and down again and this meant all the stuff came out of the back and hit me in the back of the head and put me in a bad way.”

The crash still resonates with today’s United stars.

“The air disaster had an effect not just on the UK but around the world,” said winger Ryan Giggs, who has been with the club throughout his 17-year career and has scored 100 goals in more than 700 appearances.

“People never forget and they appreciate and realize what happened with the Busby Babes and what effect they had on the footballing public and general public in Britain around that time.”

Giggs said that, despite the horror of the crash and the loss of life, the rebirth of the team under Busby was one of the greatest success stories in the history of the game.

“That is something Manchester United has always prided itself on, the history and carrying on that legacy,” he said. “You’re a young lad representing Manchester United abroad, playing in the right manner, exciting supporters and wherever you go getting people off their seats and that has got to go on because that is one of the things that sets this club apart.

“You never stand still. It always goes forward.”

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