Manchester United legend Sir Matt Busby has had a plaque with his name on removed from the directors’ box at Old Trafford, reports the Manchester Evening News .
And his grandchildren have been told they will no longer be able to use the seats there.
Former United manager Busby is one of the men credited with the revival of the club following the Munich air disaster in 1958 and the move is said to have saddened some of his surviving family members.
Busby almost lost his life in the crash, which killed eight players, but recovered and led the team to European Cup glory 10 years later.
After his retirement, a plaque was mounted on his seat in the director’s box – one of four seats said to have been used by the family there.
Sir Matt’s children Sandy and Sheena used the seats until their deaths while his seven grandchildren also used them until this season.
A bronze statue of Sir Matt, which was erected in 1996 following his death two years earlier, remains outside the stadium.
But Amanda Eustace, who is Sandy’s daughter and Sir Matt’s granddaughter, told the MEN: “My dad always said it was a privilege to have those box tickets. We have been extremely grateful to United for what they have given us over the past years.
“We do still have season tickets, which is absolutely fantastic.”
Another source told the MEN: “For over 40 years Matt Busby’s family have had a table in the directors suite at Old Trafford, with four tickets in the directors’ box.
“These have been used by Matt himself, by his son Sandy and daughter Sheena. Since they have both died the grandchildren have had access to those tickets. That was until last season.
“The powers that be at Old Trafford have decided to call time on this and have told the families they wont be getting any tickets this year.
“Worse than that they have removed the plaques on the seats, including the one with Sir Matt Busby’s name on.
“That name has been on his seat for nearly 50 years – so who is going to sit there now?”
The MEN has contacted United for a comment.