The 1963 FA Cup win seemed to be a real turning point in the development of the post-Munich Manchester United, and Busby was helped by the emergence of a young Irishman by the name of George Best.
The addition of Best to the side brought together the fabled ‘Holy Trinity’ of Best, Law and Charlton. Between the magnificent trio, there were over 1,600 United appearances, 665 goals and a Ballon d’Or apiece, alongside the league titles and the Holy Grail of the European Cup.
From 19th in 1963, the Red Devils rebounded to 2nd in 1964, ending the campaign four points behind Liverpool. They were finally back on top of the English football pyramid in 1965, albeit by the narrowest of margins.
Denis Law was in his goalscoring pomp as United finished level on points with Leeds United and claimed the league title on goal average by less than 0.7 of a goal.
That championship brought a return to the European top table for the 1965-66 season, where they would make the semi-finals where they face a return to Belgrade to take on Partizan to whom they lost on aggregate. In defence of their domestic title, United could only manage a fourth place finish.
Without European competition, United would lose just six times over 42 First Division matches during the 1966-67 season and claim another league championship. Nottingham Forest were United’s closest challengers, four points behind Busby’s side.
That brought a poignant return to the European Cup, ten years on from the Munich disaster. It was another chance for Busby to complete the mission he set out to achieve when he was pushing for English involvement in the competition in the mid-50s.
United’s run to the final began against footballing minnows Hibernians of Malta, who were beaten 4-0 at Old Trafford before a goalless draw in Paola saw the Reds through.
FK Sarajevo were up next and provided a sterner test for United, holding them to a 0-0 draw in Sarajevo before John Aston and George Best sent their side through to face the Polish side Gornik Zabrze.
An own goal and a Brian Kidd strike handed United a home leg victory that proved crucial, as Busby’s side lost 1-0 away from home. That victory set up an almighty clash with European football heavyweights and already six-time champions Real Madrid.
Best was on hand to secure a first leg win at Old Trafford before United went to Madrid and came away with a 3-3 draw in front of over 100,000 in the Spanish capital. That sent United to their first-ever European Cup final, where they would face Eusebio and Benfica at Wembley.
Despite being without Denis Law, an emotionally charged May night at Wembley saw United, and Munich survivors Busby, Foulkes and Charlton capture Europe’s top prize ten years on from the disaster that robbed England of a young side capable of dominating the continent.
It was Matt Busby’s crowning moment of a long and highly distinguished managerial career, and it would lead to the Godfather of Football being knighted.