21 February 1958 - The Death Of Duncan Edwards

On 21 February 1958, Manchester United star Duncan Edwards died from injuries sustained when the team's plane crashed in Munich. He was 21 years old.

The left half had been with the club for just under six years, joining them as a youth player in June 1952, then signing a professional contract the following year later. Manager Matt Busby gave him his first-team debut in a home league match against Cardiff City. Edwards was only 16 years and 185 days old at the time, making him the youngest player to appear in England's top flight up to that point. United lost the match 4-1, but Edwards blossomed into a rare talent, with many observers counting on a great future for him. Teammate Bobby Charlton, winner of the 1966 Ballon d'Or, later said that Edwards was the only player that made him feel inferior. He quickly became a feature in the United senior side, making 24 league appearances in 1953-54, then featuring in almost all of their games after that.

In April 1955, he set another age record when he made his first appearance for England at the age of 18 years, 183 days. He went on to earn 18 caps over the next three years.

Tragically, his career was cut short when United's team plane, bringing them home from a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade, crashed in Munich on 6 February 1958. Seven players died instantly, while Edwards and manager Matt Busby were rushed to the hospital with critical injuries.  Busby eventually recovered, but Edwards died just over two weeks later on 21 February.