The Man Utd players who received medals on the pitch before Nottingham Forest match

HARRY McSHANE (1951/52 FIRST DIVISION)
Scottish winger McShane was a diminutive, high-velocity raider whose dozen autumn outings – six on the right flank and six on the left – were highly influential in the Reds’ bright start to the 1951/52 campaign. His ball skills were a delight, he was a beautiful crosser and he packed a goal threat, delivering the late winner in the Maine Road derby in September. Alas, soon after that he suffered a knee injury which sidelined him for the rest of the title-winning season.

FRANK CLEMPSON (1951/52 FIRST DIVISION)
When Matt Busby gave the bountifully skilful schemer Clempson a run of eight games early in 1952, a long-term future with the Reds seemed likely. The young Salfordian scored in consecutive games against Wolves and Huddersfield as United led the title race, his mastery of the ball and his perceptive passing catching the eye.

JACK CROMPTON (1951/52 FIRST DIVISION)
Quiet, dignified Mancunian Crompton was a reassuringly reliable goalkeeper who enlisted at Old Trafford in 1944. He gained a regular berth after the war and starred as the Reds won the FA Cup in 1948 but lost his place to newcomer Reg Allen in 1950. However, he remained the most solid of custodians – never flashy, usually safe, always supremely agile – and he excelled during the nine games he stood in for Reg during 1951/52, notably in the goalless November draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

FRED GOODWIN (1955/56 & 1956/67 FIRST DIVISION)
The tall, almost willowy wing-half Goodwin was a high-quality, versatile footballer who might have been confidently expected to nail a regular place at most clubs but, alas for his Old Trafford ambitions, he was a contemporary of Duncan Edwards, Eddie Colman and Jeff Whitefoot, masters all. As it was, Lancastrian Goodwin still competed doggedly, topping a century of appearances before his £10,000 sale to Leeds in 1960 and contributing to two consecutive championships.

ALBERT SCANLON (1955/56 & 1956/57 FIRST DIVISION)
Scanlon was a loveable scamp and a very fine left-winger. For opposing defenders he was a nightmare to mark. His tearaway style usually entailed slipping the ball to one side of his minder, then sprinting past the hapless opponent on the other, often climaxing his effort with a wicked cross or a pulverising shot – his tally of 35 goals in 127 United games was tremendous for a flankman. Albert was dripping with talent but his input to two championships was limited to six and five appearances respectively because of the excellence of his rival for the no.11 shirt, David Pegg. At the time of the Munich Air Disaster, which Albert survived, he was the man in possession of the shirt and, with David tragically gone, he seemed likely to become entrenched in the team. But after dazzling for two seasons he was bought by Newcastle for £18,000 in 1960.