Source: Daily_Mail
United plan stunning tribute to Sir Matt Busby at Champions League final
Manchester United have been given special dispensation by UEFA to turn one half of Rome's Olympic Stadium into a stunning tribute to the late Sir Matt Busby before next Wednesday's Champions League final against Barcelona.[LNB] After discussions with European football's governing body, Sir Alex Ferguson and his players will walk out before the game to be greeted by a 16,000-piece mural covering the whole of the Curva Nord that will pay tribute to Busby, who would have been 100 years old the day before the final.[LNB] Glory boys: Pat Crerand, left, and George Best hold the European Cup with Matt Busby after United's 1968 European Cup triumph[LNB]The mosaic - held up by United's travelling fans - will spell out 'For Sir Matt' and will include a stunning portrait of the man from whom current United manager Ferguson and his players have always taken much of their inspiration.[LNB] It is destined to become one of the lasting images of a final that could yet see United become the first team to defend the trophy in the competition's modern form.[LNB] Last night United chief executive David Gill confirmed the plan, which came courtesy of the Stretford End Flags Group.[LNB] Gill said: 'We wanted to do something to mark Sir Matt's 100th birthday and we were approached by the fans with an idea that would recognise the role he had played in the club's unique place in Europe.[LNB] Legend: Sir Matt Busby pictured with the European Cup in 1968[LNB] 'Alex liked the idea straight away. The mosaic will remind millions of people around the world what a great man Sir Matt was.'[LNB] Busby won the club their first European Cup in 1968 and died in 1994. United won the Cup for the second time on what would have been his 90th birthday, May 26, 1999.[LNB] He was manager of United for 24 years - retiring in 1969 - and was recognised as the greatest boss the club had ever had until Ferguson began piling up the trophies. United have invited Busby's son Sandy and daughter Sheena to be the club's guests in Rome and attend a dinner with their directors on Tuesday.[LNB] Sandy Busby said: 'It's going to be really heart-rending when the mosaic is lifted up, and I'm sure there are going to be a few tears from my sister and myself.[LNB] 'My dad would have been so proud and pleased. He was a sentimental man and he would be absolutely delighted that the fans still remember him with such affection and still sing songs in his honour. But this is something else - he will be the proudest man in heaven.' [LNB] [LNB]
