Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag lauds Jimmy Murphy

Erik ten Hag lauded Jimmy Murphy as the "main person" in the history of Manchester United as the club prepares to unveil a statue of the former coach.

Murphy, assistant manager to Sir Matt Busby, had to manage United after the Munich air disaster in February 1958 when eight United players were among the 23 killed. Murphy also managed Wales at the 1958 World Cup.

Although Murphy was shabbily treated by United before his death in 1989, he is remembered by the Jimmy Murphy Centre at the club's Carrington training complex, as well as the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.

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A statue of Murphy will be presented to supporters outside the Stretford End on Wednesday afternoon. Busby, Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best are the only legends immortalised in bronze at Old Trafford.

"I think it's very good that the club gives so much honour and congratulations to the main person in the history of Manchester United," Ten Hag said. "He stands for more symbols: a symbol of youth, youth development, he stands for resilience and determination and they are the standards for Manchester United.

"He's driven by this person, after Munich, a manager, many players fell away, the club was devastated and they bounced back and this person played the main role.

"It's totally deserved he gets an honour for this. Jimmy Murphy centre, Jimmy Murphy player of the year and now his statue, it's fantastic."

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