Sixty-five years to the day of the tragic events in Germany, hundreds gathered below the Munich Memorial Plaque on the east side of the stadium to pay respects during a ceremony, organised by the fan group Munich58 and led by former club chaplain Rev John Boyers.
A series of songs were sung, while poems and the names of all those who lost their lives in the tragedy were read out.
Wreaths were laid in an official moment of remembrance, prior to a minute’s silence around 15:04 GMT – the time when the plane crash fatally took place on 6 February 1958.
A similar annual ritual was also taking place in Munich, held by the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation and led by chairman Pat Burns.
Former United captain Bryan Robson and head of Academy Nick Cox, who is a patron of the MMMF, attended the service, alongside senior leaders from the club.
23 people – including eight players and three members of the club’s staff – suffered fatal injuries in the Munich Air Disaster.
The team had been travelling back from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade when their aircraft stopped in Germany to refuel.
The first two attempts to take off from Munich airport were aborted; following a third attempt, the plane crashed.
The eight players who perished were Geoff Bent (aged 25), Roger Byrne (28), Eddie Colman (21), Duncan Edwards (21), Mark Jones (24), David Pegg (22), Tommy Taylor (26) and Liam Whelan (22).
Edwards, considered by many to be the finest player of his generation, died 15 days after the accident.
The three club officials who were killed were secretary Walter Crickmer, trainer Tom Curry and coach Bert Whalley.
Eight journalists died – Alf Clarke, Donny Davies, George Follows, Tom Jackson, Archie Ledbrooke, Henry Rose, Eric Thompson and former Manchester City goalkeeper Frank Swift.
Aircraft captain Ken Rayment, fellow crew member Tom Cable, travel agent Bela Miklos and supporter Willie Satinoff, a friend of United manager Sir Matt Busby, were also victims of the terrible tragedy.
