"When I used to hear Muhammad Ali proclaim to the world that he was the greatest, I would always smile. The greatest of them all was a footballer named Duncan Edwards."
These were the words of Jimmy Murphy, former Wales manager and assistant manager to Sir Matt Busby at Manchester United.
"He was the best player I've ever seen and the best footballer I ever played with. I always felt I could compare well with any player - except Duncan. He was such a talent, I always felt inferior to him."
The words of Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton CBE, who made over 750 appearances for the club, scoring 249 goals.
Pele, Diego Maradona, and Alfredo Di Stefano; they all have significant claims to being the greatest player to have ever graced the modern game of football.
Sadly, had he not perished in the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, there would only be one name associated with the title of "Greatest Player of All Time".
Duncan Edwards.
For those that surprisingly haven't heard of this talent, Duncan Edwards was a Manchester United and England player between 1953-1958.
He made his debut for United in 1953 at just 16 after coming through the club's youth academy. He went on to make 151 appearances, scoring 20 goals in five years at Old Trafford.
His international career was just as promising. He made his England debut in 1955 at just 18 years of age, becoming the youngest ever England international until Michael Owen in 1998. In three years, Edwards won 18 caps for his country, scoring five goals.
Though predominantly a defensive midfielder, Edwards reportedly was able to play in any outfield position, always making him an integral part to the England and Manchester United team.
1948 was the year in which the name Duncan Edwards would later become synonymous with Manchester United fans.
United's chief scout for the Midlands at the time, Jack O'Brien, put a handwritten letter on manager Matt Busby's desk. It read:
"Have today seen a 12-year-old schoolboy who merits special watching. His name is Duncan Edwards, of Dudley. Instructions please."
This recommendation from O'Brien was swiftly passed on to coach Bert Whalley with the additional instructions:
"Please arrange special watch immediately - MB [Matt Busby]."
The 12-year old Duncan Edwards was playing for Wolverhampton Street Secondary School, Dudley Schools XI, Worcester County XI and Birmingham & District XI at the time.
After several Wembley appearances as a 13,14, and 15 year old for the England Schoolboys in front of crowds reportedly up to 100,000 per game, it was not long before Duncan Edwards became far too good for the Manchester United youth team.
Aged 16 years and 183 days, Edwards made his first-team debut against Cardiff City at Old Trafford. Not that anyone knew it, but a dismal Apr. 4, 1953 4-1 home defeat was where it all started for the boy who would later become one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen.
To be the greatest, a player has to have the right personality and mentality, on and off the pitch. And what makes the case of Duncan Edwards even more sad was that he seemed perfect off the pitch as well.
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