Busby and his team began the 1957 – 58 season full of ambition for an assault on the Football League title , FA Cup and European Cup . On the way home from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade on 6 February 1958 , their plane crashed on the runway at Munich-Riem Airport . Seven players and three club officials were among the 20 people who were killed at the scene ; Duncan Edwards died from his injuries two weeks later as the final death toll reached 23 , while two other players were injured to such an extent that they never played football again . Busby suffered multiple injuries and twice received the last rites , but he recovered from his injuries and left the hospital after nine weeks
plane crashed
Munich air disaster
Matt Busby