Geoff Bent

Position Full back

Age 25

United appearances 12

Goals 0

If Roger Byrne had not picked up an injury in United’s epic 5-4 victory at Arsenal five days before the crash, the Salford-born defender would not have been on the plane. As it was, Byrne recovered in time to play in Belgrade, making Bent’s journey tragically unnecessary. He was a solid defender who could operate in either full-back position. A move to almost any other club would have brought him regular first-team football.

Roger Byrne

Position Full back

Age 28

United appearances 280

Goals 19

England caps 33

The United captain was two days away from his 29th birthday and eight months from becoming a father when he perished in Munich. He was the undisputed leader of the Busby Babes, exuding an air of calm, studious authority. He was one of the game’s great defenders, a man capable of combating the wizardry of even Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney. He had already captained England once.

Eddie Colman

Position Wing half

Age 21

United appearances 108

Goals 2

Colman sprang from one of the tight-knit working-class communities around Old Trafford and the United fans instantly embraced him as one of their own. The lad from Archie Street, Salford – which was used as the model for Coronation Street - became a huge crowd favourite. His bodyswerve was his trademark, baffling opponents and causing pressmen to compare his hips to those of Marilyn Monroe.

Mark Jones

Position Centre half

Age 24

United appearances 121

Goals 1

At 6ft 1in and 12st 12lb, the Barnsley-born No 5 presented an imposing barrier to the rampaging centre forwards of 1950s football. But his presence on the field belied a gentle nature. He was a pipe-smoker – nicknamed Dan Archer after the character in the radio soap – and almost as devoted to his 55 budgerigars as his wife and son. He brought his shotgun to Old Trafford to assist in keeping down the pigeon population.

David Pegg

Position Winger

Age 22

United appearances 150

Goals 28

England caps 1

Although he had lost his place to Albert Scanlon at the time of the disaster, nobody doubted that the miner’s son from South Yorkshire still had a big part to play in Busby’s plans. Pegg was a wonderfully talented wing who was adept at dropping deep to provide perceptive passes. A sharp dresser, devotee of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole and popular with the ladies, he was a colourful character.

Tommy Taylor

Position Centre forward

Age 26

United appearances 191

Goals 131

England caps 19, 16 goals

Although not a true Busby Babe – he arrived after an expensive foray into the transfer market – Taylor was one of the most talented and valuable members of Busby’s team. On signing him from Barnsley in March 1953, the manager was keen not to burden him with a £30,000 price tag, so he wrote a cheque for £29,999 and gave the other £1 to an Oakwell tea lady. He proved to be a perfect No 9.

Liam “Billy” Whelan

Position Inside forward

Age 22

United appearances 98

Goals 52

Ireland caps 4

The emergence of Bobby Charlton had put a question mark on his future, but the skilful and prolific Whelan would surely have recaptured a place in the United team. Usually called “Billy”, he was a product of Home Farm, the Irish club, and left an indelible mark on United’s European history in 1957 with a brilliant goal in the quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao that inspired a second-leg comeback.

Other victims: Manchester United staff: Walter Crickmer (club secretary), Bert Whalley (chief coach), Tom Curry (trainer). Journalists: Alf Clarke (Manchester Evening Chronicle), Don Davies (Manchester Guardian), George Follows ( Daily Herald), Tom Jackson (Manchester Evening News), Archie Ledbrooke (Daily Mirror), Henry Rose (Daily Express), Eric Thompson ( Daily Mail), Frank Swift (News of the World; former England goalkeeper). Kenneth Rayment (co-pilot), Bela Miklos (travel agent), Willie Satinoff (supporter), Tom Cable (steward).