SALFORD RED
09-02-2008, 06:48 AM
Man Utd are ready for emotional derby on Sunday.
Ferguson says he is proud with how his side marked the tragedy
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster will give his side extra motivation this weekend.
United's derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday marks the climax to a series of events to commemorate the tragedy.
"It is a responsibility for the players to do well on Sunday," said Ferguson.
"I hope we put in a very good performance. It goes hand in hand with the memory of the Munich disaster."
The match comes at the end of an emotional week for Manchester United, their fans and football supporters worldwide, which saw them pay tribute to the 23 people which died in the crash on 6 February 1958.
On Wednesday, a memorial service was held inside Old Trafford as well as the crash site while the club unveiled a permanent exhibition of the Busby Babes in the South Stand tunnel.
And Ferguson says the past week has "made me realise I was the manager of one of the greatest clubs of all time".
"There was some apprehension before this week hoping it all went smoothly, and I was proud of all the staff, the balance was fantastic," he said.
I hope the tragedy of Munich is respected throughout the UK and not just at Old Trafford when United take on City.
"I have always been proud to be manager of this club and on Wednesday I was even prouder. It was fantastic how the older players paraded their affection for the club."
Both United and City will mark the occasion by wearing traditional, unsponsored kit while a minute's silence will be held before the game.
There have been fears that a small minority of City fans will not remain quiet during the silence and United ruled out City's supporters' club's request for a minute's applause instead.
City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson hopes his fans will honour the silence.
"As a club, we have sent out many messages and we hope fans use common sense," said Eriksson. "Football is one thing but when people die too early in an extremely bad accident, you have to respect that.
"It doesn't matter if you are wearing a blue shirt or a red shirt or whatever. It has nothing to do with football. We have to respect those who were doing the same job as we are doing today".
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Ferguson says he is proud with how his side marked the tragedy
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster will give his side extra motivation this weekend.
United's derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday marks the climax to a series of events to commemorate the tragedy.
"It is a responsibility for the players to do well on Sunday," said Ferguson.
"I hope we put in a very good performance. It goes hand in hand with the memory of the Munich disaster."
The match comes at the end of an emotional week for Manchester United, their fans and football supporters worldwide, which saw them pay tribute to the 23 people which died in the crash on 6 February 1958.
On Wednesday, a memorial service was held inside Old Trafford as well as the crash site while the club unveiled a permanent exhibition of the Busby Babes in the South Stand tunnel.
And Ferguson says the past week has "made me realise I was the manager of one of the greatest clubs of all time".
"There was some apprehension before this week hoping it all went smoothly, and I was proud of all the staff, the balance was fantastic," he said.
I hope the tragedy of Munich is respected throughout the UK and not just at Old Trafford when United take on City.
"I have always been proud to be manager of this club and on Wednesday I was even prouder. It was fantastic how the older players paraded their affection for the club."
Both United and City will mark the occasion by wearing traditional, unsponsored kit while a minute's silence will be held before the game.
There have been fears that a small minority of City fans will not remain quiet during the silence and United ruled out City's supporters' club's request for a minute's applause instead.
City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson hopes his fans will honour the silence.
"As a club, we have sent out many messages and we hope fans use common sense," said Eriksson. "Football is one thing but when people die too early in an extremely bad accident, you have to respect that.
"It doesn't matter if you are wearing a blue shirt or a red shirt or whatever. It has nothing to do with football. We have to respect those who were doing the same job as we are doing today".
.