Manchester United winger Kenny Morgans, who survived 1958 Munich air disaster, dies aged 73

Kenny Morgans pictured in hospital in Munich after the fateful crash

Busby Babe Kenny Morgans has died aged 73, Manchester United confirmed today.

The winger survived the 1958 Munich air disaster despite being found under the wheel of the aircraft five hours after the crash.

The Welshman was the last person to be rescued from the wreckage. He was taken ill on Saturday night and passed away in hospital.

A club statement said: "Staff at the football club send their deepest condolences to Kenny's family and friends."

Kenny played for the Reds as a winger in the late 1950's, making his debut at the age of 18 against Leicester City on December 21, 1957.

Less than two months later, he travelled to Belgrade for the ill-fated European Cup trip and sustained injuries when the team's plane crashed in Munich after refuelling on the return flight.

Although he recovered from his crash injuries and was able to continue his playing career, Kenny spent the large part of his time as a footballer back

in his native Wales, leaving Old Trafford for Swansea in 1961 and later joining Newport County before retiring in 1967.

But he always maintained United was his true love in football.

"I went to United at 15 and joined the best team in the world, so my heart is always with United," Kenny said in an interview with M.E.N. Sport in May.

May 2012: Busby Babe Kenny Morgans hopes Manchester United can revive title dream

February 2008: Man who could have won '58 final

The M.E.N.'s former United correspondent David Meek said: "I'm very saddened indeed to hear of the death of Kenny. I always admired him and felt a great deal of sympathy for because, although he resumed a playing career and his injuries in Munich didn't stop him getting back to the game, somehow the crash seemed to have taken something out of him. He wasn't quite the same player again.

"It wasn't an obvious injury. He never received the consideration and sympathy he should have done. I suppose after his terrible injuries, to make 73 wasn't too bad but on the other hand he could have looked back on a fabulous playing career.

"When he played before the crash, he was a sensational winger."

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