Plans are ongoing for a new Old Trafford statue honouring one of Manchester United’s less-recognised key figures from history: ex-manager Jimmy Murphy.
The club has accepted a request from supporters groups for the memorial – agreeing that Murphy’s critical contribution to the rebuilding of United following the Munich Air Disaster makes him worthy of a permanent tribute.
Murphy took temporary charge of the Red Devils in 1958 following the crash – which saw eight players killed and two others suffer career-ending injuries.
Manager Matt Busby was also seriously hurt.
Murphy – who had not travelled as he was managing Wales in a World Cup qualifier – stepped in to take care of the Busby Babes as temporary coach following the tragedy. And he performed a miracle.
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Jimmy Murphy: a giant figure of United's history ❤
Plans are under way to honour his outstanding contribution to the club outside his spiritual home.#MUFC
Despite their shaken and depleted squad, United made it to the 1958 FA Cup final against all odds – with Murphy leading out the team at Wembley Stadium against Bolton Wanderers.
Busby returned the following season and Murphy continued to work alongside him as assistant manager, with the duo creating a side which would bring two league titles, an FA Cup and European Cup to Old Trafford.
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Upon his death in 1989, Busby called Murphy his “first and most important signing”.
“No-one outside the club will ever know how important he was to our success,” he stated.
The proposal for a statue of Murphy was presented to the club by a coalition of United Supporters’ groups led by the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation.
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Once completed, Murphy’s memorial will join existing tributes to other club heroes such as Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law outside Old Trafford.
LIVE NOW: A special show with @the_mmmf & Jimmy Murphy's Grandson as last week the club confirmed that Jimmy Murphy will be getting a statue at Old Trafford. Find out more by hitting the play button! #mufchttps://t.co/17BekdfeXx
Paul Murphy said the statue would help to raise awareness of his grandfather’s essential role in rebuilding the club.
He told All For United podcast: “There’s nothing outside Old Trafford to let you know who [Jimmy] was, what he did.
“I’ve been introduced in the past and season-ticket holders have asked ‘Who’s Jimmy Murphy?’
“I don’t blame them people because there’s nothing around the stadium. Unless you read into it, you don’t know who Jimmy Murphy is. I said to the board: ‘I could stand outside Old Trafford and ask fans who led United out at the 1958 FA Cup – I bet half at least wouldn’t know.’
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“This will broaden people’s knowledge of the club.”
Featured image: Man Utd
Sport
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Oasis’ Wonderwall on the brink of becoming UK number one for first time ever 30 years after initial release
Emily Sergeant
Could Wonderwall FINALLY become UK number one for the first time ever?
England may no longer be in the running to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being knocked out in the Semi Finals by Argentina, who claimed a 2-1 win when the two teams faced off in Atlanta on Wednesday night (15 July), but it looks like that hasn’t harmed Wonderwall’s trajectory to the top of the Official UK Charts.
Oasis’ most-streamed song of all time – and arguably their most famous – is currently sitting right at the top of Spotify’s Global charts, meaning it is in the race to become the official UK number one later today.
Despite the fact it never reached number one when it was first released back in 1996 as part of the band’s second studio album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the song has always had such cultural significance here in Manchester.
But after being adopted by the fans of the England men’s national football team during this World Cup, and belted out after every Three Lions victory this tournament, the song has taken on a whole new life.
Wonderwall was described at the time by the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher, as being about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’ – with the song’s title inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music.
Sure, it has nothing to do with football (but neither did Sweet Caroline, let’s be real), but it’s an absolute anthem and one that’s become a symbol this year for the belief that football may have just been coming home after 60 years.
Win or lose, Wonderwall remains.
Unfortunately, while Wonderwall is in pole position as it stands, it’s up against some fierce footballing competition with the likes of Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ enduring anthem, Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home), hot on its heals.
Standing between both of them – and chart glory – is, of course, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s record-breaking duet, Rein Me In, which looks to retain the top spot as it eyes a 17th non-consecutive week at the summit.
It’s also expected that The Beatles’ iconic 1968 hit, Hey Jude, will also find its way into the Top 40 in honour of the tournament’s star player Jude Bellingham.
So, will Wonderwall reign supreme then? Will the Gallagher brothers have another reason to celebrate tonight after the success of last year’s historic Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can tune into the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm today.
The Manc -
7th June 2021 
