United

In "United - The Busby Era", Mike Prestage talks to players from each of the three great sides, and tells the story of the 25 years which established Manchester United for ever as the world's greatest club. Without the Busby influence it is doubtful whether United would today enjoy such dominance in world football. When Manchester United's directors appointed Matt Busby manager in 1945 they made probably the most significant decision in the club's history, Busby inherited a club with no home - Old Trafford had been badly damaged by German bombs during the war and United were playing their home games at Maine Road - but the former Scottish international wing-half began to rebuild from the ashes. He moulded his first great team under the captaincy of Johnny Carey, and they went on to win the FA Cup in 1948, in a Final of breathtaking entertainment. In 1952, his side, now containing the first flowerings of the 'Busby Babes', lifted the League championship for the first time in 41 years. In his first six years in charge, United never finished lower than fourth in the top flight. Then fresh talent began to emerge and with Roger Byrne as his captain, Busby took the club to consecutive League titles in 1956 and 1957, in the second of those years coming close to becoming the first modern manager to steer a team to the League and Cup double. By then his quest for European glory had begun as United were now one of the best sides in the world. The European dream was shattered at Munich where many of his young players died, including the England trio of Byrne, Duncan Edwards and Tommy Taylor. Busby himself fought a courageous battle against severe injuries and eventually, with assistant Jimmy Murphy - his first 'signing' in 1945 - assembled another great team. The FA Cup was won again in 1963 and the Championship in 1965 and again in 1967. Then the stage was set for the greatest triumph - the winning of the European Cup in 1968. It was the crowning glory for Busby and for players like George Best and Bobby Charlton.