Matt Busby son 'disgusted' by 'United' drama

The son of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby has said that he was "disgusted" with the portrayal of his father in a TV drama about the Munich air disaster.

Aired last night on BBC Two to an audience of 3.2m, United told the story of the aftermath of the 1958 aeroplane crash, which resulted in 23 people losing their lives, including eight players from the club's first team.

The drama focused on the relationship between a young Bobby Charlton, played by Jack O'Connell, and Manchester United coach Jimmy Murphy (David Tennant), who rebuilt the shattered club while Sir Matt, played by Dougray Scott, recovered from his injuries.

Sandy Busby said that he was "disgusted" at the portrayal of his father always in a camel coat and wearing a fedora. He also claimed that no-one in the Busby family was contacted ahead of the multi-million pound production.

"I can't understand it, it's called United, all about the Busby Babes. You think they'd contact the Busby family, wouldn't you?" he told BBC News.

"I was disgusted with the portrayal of my father. He had this camel coat on, and a fedora, and all through the film he was never seen in a tracksuit. He was known as probably the first tracksuit manager at that time. I was disgusted."

Busby said that there were some "stupid accusations" in the 90-minute film, which he felt was "very poorly done", along with some glaring omissions.

"Why didn't they include other players that died and were injured in the crash? If I was one of their family I would be very upset," he said.

"There was about eight players never mentioned. They never mentioned Tom Curry, who was a trainer at the time. He was the trainer in the dressing room, he was like a second dad to the lads."

In response, a BBC spokesman stressed that United was "a drama not a documentary", and also defended the level of research than went into the production.

"It was a dramatic choice to focus on the stories of Jimmy Murphy and Bobby Charlton but the same story could have been told in many ways as all are equally important," he said.

"The film was researched using biographies, testimonies, documentaries, personal accounts, first-hand interviews and Manchester United FC Museum.

"The story of the Busby Babes is of huge social and cultural significance in this country and this film is a respectful and fitting portrayal of the spirit of the club and community as they fought to overcome this tragedy.

"As soon as the film was finished, a private screening was arranged in Manchester for the survivors of the film and the relatives of those who lost their lives. No-one came forward to object."

Watch a clip of Jack O'Connell and David Tennant in BBC Two's United below:



> David Tennant 'shocked by United story'