Manchester derby can bring out the best in United and City off the pitch

Handkerchiefs, or a stiff upper lip, were required for Manchester United supporters of a certain vintage at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.

The sight of a lone piper emerging from the Stretford End tunnel evoked memories of when United mourned the passing of their first knight, Sir Matt Busby, against Everton in January 1994.

Players and officials paced behind Terry Carr as he played The Green Hills of Tyrol on the bagpipes, a choice settled on after a casual consultation with Alex Ferguson over tea in his office. For Sir Bobby Charlton, the piper played 'We'll never die'.

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That was reminiscent of February 10 2008, when Manchester derby fell on the week of the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster. United were resplendent in a retro kit devoid of imagery. City's shirt was only graced by their crest.

Red, white and black bar scarves were placed on every seat in the home sections while the 3,000 City followers received a sky-blue-and-white version. The sight of 75,000 scarves raised during the minute's silence is one of the most evocative in the fixture's history. One of the scarves was draped around Charlton.

'We'll never die' is the defiant chant that epitomises United. It was an emotive choice to soundtrack the remembrance of Charlton, pulled from the wreckage in the slushy snow of Munich almost 56 years ago.

No player symbolises United truer than Charlton, who ascended the Wembley steps in 1968 to lift their first European Cup. Forty years later, he was the dignitary who led United up the gangway in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow as they regained the trophy.

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