A moment isn't too long for people to shut their soup coolers and pay their respects to the 28 lives lost during the Munich air disaster. But apparently it's a lot to ask. A minute for 50 years. 60 seconds to behave like human beings. But then this is the City of Manchester derby. This is the day Manchester is split down the middle. While supporters thousands of miles away watch the match on TV side-by-side at the same pub. There are songs and taunting, but not much more. Victorious supporters even buy beers for the losers after the match. Well sometimes.
In Manchester it's a different story. It's never pleasant, like the Liverpool derby can be, well kind of. It's serious business that divides
families, friends, and neighbors. But even during the 1958 season, when the disaster took place, Manchester was truly united. City fans were as distraught as United fans. Everyone was in shock, and the entire city mourned as one (at least that's what I've been told - I'm very young).Today it's different. Manchester is still a city divided in many ways. But the main difference is that disrespect is an expected and accepted part of the game, whether it's the local derby or a national clash. I just hope the moss side boys remember that some of their own were also lost on that horrific day.
On a more pleasant note, both teams will wear commemorative strip for the match, without corporate sponsorship — just the numbers 1-11. And the South Stand tunnel has been renamed the Munich tunnel to honor those lost.
