Duncan Edwards played for Manchester United between 1952-1958, and for those who saw him play they believed he would have become one of the greatest football players of all time. Edwards signed for United in 1952 after already impressing at schoolboy level and having represented and then captained the England schoolboys team.
Edwards began playing regularly for the United youth team, and he was part of the team that won the inaugural FA Youth Cup in 1953. It wasn't long however before Edwards played his first game for the Manchester United first team, and at the age of just 16 he made his Football League debut against Cardiff City, in April 1953.
Edwards signed a professional contract on his 17th birthday, and he became a regular member of the first team during the 1953/54 season, appearing in 24 league matches. While continuing to play for the Reds youth team, he again helped them win the FA Youth Cup. Although primarily a left-back defensive player, he didn't look out of place playing in any position in the team, it wasn't uncommon to see him play on the wing, at centre half, and even centre forward.
It wasn't long before Duncan Edwards' talent was noted by the England team, and he made his first England appearance in 1955 at the age of 18, one of the youngest players ever to play for England, a few weeks later, still being eligible to play for Manchester United's youth team Edwards completed three consecutive FA Youth cup victories.
During the 1955-1956 season Duncan Edwards made 33 appearances as the Reds won the First Division League and he repeated this success the following season as they won back to back titles, unfortunately missing out on a league and cup double during the 1956-1957 season as United lost 2-1 to Aston Villa in the FA Cup final.
The 1958 season was to be Duncan Edwards last, following Manchester United's away game at Belgrade in the European Cup the plane crashed after refuelling in Munich and despite surviving the initial crash he died 15 days later from his injuries, he was just 21 years old.
Duncan Edwards had played 177 times and scored 21 goals for Manchester United, winning three FA Youth Cups and two League titles, and he had played 18 times for England. Many believe he would have been the greatest ever Manchester United player had it not been for that ill-fated journey.
Steve Goodwin is an expert author, football fan and retailer of Manchester United football gifts that are available from the Man United Shop and all items are available to ship worldwide
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