United retained their crown the following season, fmishing eight points ahead ofTottenham. In style the Spurs side was closer to United than Wolves. Under Arthur Rowe the team had developed a marvellous “push and run” technique, which had brought the club the championship in 1951. Bill Nicholson and Alf Ramsey w'-ere members of that side, and the former joined the coaching staff at White Hart Lane when he finished playing. Spurs were also twice runners-up in the 1950s but their greatest moment, with Nicholson at the helm, still lay ahead.
United’s European dream ended by Real Madrid
Meanwhile, United’s first sortie into European competition ended at the semi-final stage, when they were beaten by holders Real Madrid. Tommy Taylor and Bobby Charlton earned United a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, not enough to overturn a 3-1 defeat at the Bernebeu Stadium. Busby wasn’t unduly worried. Earlier in the competition his team had beaten Andcrlecht 12-0 on aggregate, and also put out Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Bilbao before going out to die best side in Europe. Youth was on United’s side and they would be even stronger the following season.
World History
