As the snow fell steadily over a sombre Old Trafford, it only added to the poignancy of the service to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
It was back on February 6th, 1958 that eight of the Busby Babes perished as their plane slid off the runway in blizzard-like conditions at the German airport as they returned from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade.
The lower tier of the East Stand was packed as fans paid homage to Roger Byrne, Geoff Bent, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam Whelan along with Walter Crickmer, Tom Curry and Bert Whalley from the backroom staff who lost their lives.
Journalists, crew and passengers – numbering 12 in total – also lost their lives in one of the darkest days for the world of football as that exciting young team, possibly it would have gone on to become the greatest one in the history of the game, was lost for ever and never able to fulfill its potential.
They were joined by a clearly emotional Sir Bobby Charlton and Harry Gregg, the two last survivors from the crash, something that had impacted their lives for the last 60 years having lost so many of their team mates.
A number of others, including the great Bill Foulkes, had sadly died since the last major event to mark the 50th anniversary.
Jose Mourinho, who was also clearly moved as he understands the rich history of the club, and the entire first-team squad was present along with youth players – others were in Belgrade playing against FK Brodarac in the UEFA U19 Champions League. There was also a memorial ceremony in Munich on the same day.
A stage had been erected at the front of the stand flanked by two giant screens to give supporters a clear view of the memorial service.
As others watched on a screen outside the stadium by the Munich memorial, club chaplain John Boyser provided the words of welcome and introduction to the Foundation Choir that sang I Watch The Sunrise.
Club director Michael Edelson and Sir Alex Ferguson gave readings leading up to the roll of honour as John Boyser slowly read out their names.
A further reading by chief executive Ed Woodward – We Will Remember Them – before the one minute’s silence at 3.04pm, the precise time of the crash.
Pete Martin read the evocative poem, The Flowers of Manchester, a prelude to Mourinho and club captain Michael Carrick laying a wreath.
Football’s anthem Abide With Me was followed by closing prayers and the Foundation Choir singing The Lord’s My Shepherd as the ground emptied.
With Sir Bobby and Harry Gregg in their eighties, there was added poignancy and realisation as this could well be the last major commemoration, though United will annually always hold a mark of remembrance at Old Trafford.