Definition of Busby Babes

Featured Offer Football Betting

Turn £10 Into £30 in Free Bets

Just £10 to start • £30 paid as Free Bets

UK new customers • 18+ • Quick signup

✔ Trusted by millions of UK bettors

Claim £30 Free Bets

Use code THEKING during registration

Bonus Code: THEKING

Join bet365 & Unlock £30

Open Account Offer. Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. Bonus code THEKING can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way. 18+ only. Gamble responsibly.

One of the most famous footballing generations is known for both their sporting ability and the tragedy that befell them. The "Busby Babes" were the footballers who were recruited and played for Manchester United in the late 40s and 50s under manager Matt Busby.

The name came from the youth and talent of these products of Manchester United's youth academy. It was first used by the Manchester Evening News. The team had an average age of 21 and 22 when they won the league titles in 1956 and 1957.

However, many of those Babes would meet a tragic end when the 1958 Munich air disaster occured. The British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off on a slush-covered runway, killing 20 people, including 8 players. 2 more players were injured to such an extent that they could never play again.

Bobby Charlton is perhaps the most famous of the Babes, as he set the all-time goal-scoring record for both United and England until Wayne Rooney broke that record. He also helped the club win their first European Cup in 1968. The last of Matt Busby's signings came in 1969 in the form of Sammy McIllroy , the same year as Busby's retirement.

While many people refer to the Busby Babes today as the original group before the Munich Air Disaster, others consider the term as being all the players Busby signed. With a total of 13 trophies won under Busby, there's a good reason this generation of players is looked back on so fondly by United fans.