Manchester United have been granted permission to build a statue of one of the club’s legendary figures at Old Trafford.
Council planners have given the green light for a permanent tribute to Jimmy Murphy, a coach who was integral to the development of the famous Busby Babes.
The addition, which will go up on the back of the Stretford End, is to be created by award-winning sculptor Alan Herriot, a life-long United supporter from Scotland, who was responsible for the statue of Denis Law in the ex-player’s home city of Aberdeen.
Legendary former Man Utd assistant Jimmy Murphy (left) is to be honoured with a new statue
Murphy was assistant manager to Sir Matt Busby from 1946 to 1971, and his time encompassed the Munich Air Disaster, subsequent rebuild and European Cup triumph.
A Welshman, he was heralded with developing the likes of Duncan Edwards, who perished at Munich, and Sir Bobby Charlton, who played a key role in United’s resurgence in the aftermath of the tragedy. With Old Trafford in shock, Murphy stepped in to manage the club as Busby recovered from his own injuries.
United are hoping to unveil the statue towards the end of this season and work can now commence.
Murphy (far right) was the assistant to Matt Busby during the ‘Busby Babes’ era
The site, in the middle of the back of the Stretford End, will see Murphy’s tribute look out across the area where he used to coach the Busby Babes on what was, at the time, an ash-cinder training pitch.
It will join existing statues of Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, and the ‘United Trinity’ of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law outside Old Trafford and has come following dialogue with various fans groups.
Supporters and Murphy’s family will be consulted during the design process.
Murphy played for West Brom and Swindon, and both represented and managed Wales. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 79.
Murphy (R) became Busby’s (C) assistant in 1955 and stayed in the role for 16 years
The statue will be built at the back of the Stretford End at Old Trafford and could be unveiled this year
