They stand United in grief and in loss to Man City

‘Play on in heaven,’ proclaimed a poignant banner. It was one of many that was unfurled soon after the end of a minute’s silence...

‘Play on in heaven,’ proclaimed a poignant banner. It was one of many that was unfurled soon after the end of a minute’s silence that enveloped Old Trafford today prior to the Manchester Derby—in memoriam for the Busby Babes, and the 23 who lost their lives 50 years ago in the Munich air crash.

Today’s tribute included Manchester United wearing sponsor-less shirts numbering 1 to 11, 1958-style, as they prepared to take on a City side that had not won at the Theatre of Dreams since 1974. United may have got the attire right, but that was about all it. There was none of the Babes’ brilliance as the Red Devils allowed themselves to be shocked into submission by their cross-town rivals, slumping to a 1-2 defeat.

United were the ones who go off to a flying start, much of the action concentrated in City’s half as the grass grew long around United’s keeper Edwin van der Saar. However, just as the home fans may have allowed themsleves to settle into comfortable complacency, Darius Vassell provided a shock. A quick exchange between Stephen Ireland and Martin Petrov eventually found Vassell, whose initial shot was blocked by Van der Saar. The Dutch keeper could not recover in time for the rebound, and 24 minutes into the match, it was 1-0 to City.

United plodded on, but after a wasted free-kick right outside the box from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 33rd minute, and similar frustration induced by Carlos Tevez following that, it appeared as though it would be merely the minority of fans wearing blue in the stadium who would go home happy.

Benjani Mwaruwari doubled the concern for United, as well as City’s lead, just before the halftime whistle. Petrov’s pace and delivery was the problem for the Red Devils once again, and Benjani Mwaruwari pounced upon Petriv’s cross to put his side 2-0 up at the break, leaving United with a mountain to climb.

City’s defence, powered by Richard Dunne and Micah Richards, did not give way, and Dietmar Hamann’s crucial interventions were key in foiling many a United move. The home side desperately tried to find a way back, but time ran out and substitute Michael Carrick’s 90th minute goal proved to be a mere consolation.