“After joining United as a schoolboy in 1953, Charlton was a member of the famed academy under manager Sir Matt Busby — with the players becoming affectionately known as the “Busby Babes” — and won three successive FA Youth Cups from 1954 to 1956.Charlton made his professional debut that same year and won his first league title in the 1956-57 season, scoring 10 goals in 14 First Division appearances.On Feb. 6, 1958, the club was rocked by the Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight United players. Charlton suffered minor injuries but survived. He then helped the club reach that year’s FA Cup final, only to lose 2-0 against Bolton Wanderers.
