Former Manchester United manager's disbelief with one thing about the current squad

A former Manchester United manager and player has spoken of his disbelief when it comes to one aspect of the current squad.

Wilfred McGuinness, 86, is now a resident at Care UK's Oakfield Croft care home in Sale. The former Manchester United player and manager was one of the original 'Busby Babes' and succeeded Sir Matt Busby as the club's manager in 1969.

Wilf signed for the Manchester United youth team in 1953 and quickly rose through the ranks. At just 18, he made his debut for the club as a wing-half and went on to earn two caps for England.

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He played for United's first team between 1955 and 1959, and could have been on the fateful flight in Munich that saw 23 lives lost in 1968. However, an injury that ruled him out of the clash with Red Star Belgrade also kept him off the plane that night.

After a leg injury at 22 cut short his playing career, he moved into coaching. Following Sir Matt Busby's retirement in 1969, Wilf was appointed manager of Manchester United at the tender age of 31, making him the youngest manager in the club's history.

Although his tenure as manager lasted less than two years, United reached three cup semi-finals under his leadership. In 1970, Wilf took on the role of reserve team manager before moving to Greece for four years where he led Panachaiki to their first appearance in a European competition.

Reflecting on his career, Wilf recently shared his thoughts about his former manager at Manchester United, Sir Matt Busby, as well as offering his perspective on the club's current squad. Wilf said: "Sir Matt was a great friend of mine! He would treat us all like family and get us to play from the heart, because that's what football is, you have to play from the heart."

He also shared his astonishment at the present team's wages, saying: "I wonder what the current squad do with all that money! When I played, I got £24 a week because it was about the love of the game."

Wilf may well have good reason to be shocked by the wages the current United squad takes home. To put things in context, the club's current top earner and captain, Bruno Fernandes, is thought to earn around £375,000 per week (according to the Daily Mail). In contrast, George Best was the first player in the English league to earn £1,000 per week (just over £14,000 in today's money) and that was in 1968, over 10 years after Wilf retired as a player.

Wilf was recently paid a special visit at Oakfield Croft care home, thanks to staff who arranged a reunion party with former Manchester City and United players. Part of the home's Wishing Tree initiative, which allows residents to revisit old careers and hobbies, with the guest list including Tony Whelan, the Manchester United academy advisor, who played for both United and City in the 1970s.

The celebration also saw visits from old acquaintances Steve Fleet, who played for Manchester City, and Fred Eyre, another ex-Man City player turned BBC commentator.

"What a surprise to see everyone, I loved it. All the hilarious stories that everyone spoke about, it brought back some amazing memories.

"Steve, Fred and Tony are great old friends, and it was lovely to receive the shirt. What can I say, it was a great day Oakfield Croft organised for us!", Wilf said.

Fred likewise revelled in the afternoon's festivities, saying: "I had the best day ever, reliving all the old memories and chatting to the old boy footballers."

The team adorned the home with football banners and Wilf’s England caps and shirts, and Head Chef Paul Ogden, baked special football cupcakes for everyone to enjoy.

Daniel Cole, Home Manager at Oakfield Croft, said: "The team at Oakfield Croft made it their mission to surprise Wilf with a day he certainly won’t forget, and this special reunion did just that.

"Wilf is a football legend here in Manchester and so it was an honour to celebrate his fantastic career with some of Manchester United and Manchester City’s most iconic players. The reunion brought back so many fond memories for Wilf and he hasn’t stopped talking about it."

He also expressed his gratitude by saying: "I want to say a massive thank you to Tony Whealan, Steve Fleet and Fred Eyre, as well as the team here at Oakfield Croft who helped make Wilf’s wish come true."