Former Manchester United manager Frank O’Farrell has died at the age of 94.
The Irishman was in charge of the Red Devils between July 1971 and December 1972, taking over from Sir Matt Busby who had briefly returned to management after his initial successor Wilf McGuiness was sacked.
O’Farrell led a First Division title charge at United during the 1971/72 season, losing just once in his first 14 league matches in charge but they eventually fell away from the race and finished eighth.
He was eventually sacked as United manager in late 1972 after a 5-0 defeat to Crystal Palace left the club languishing third from bottom in England’s top flight. His overall Manchester United record saw him win 30 out of his 81 games in charge.
Born in Cork in 1927, O’Farrell was a railway worker and a firefighter before joining Irish side Cork United in 1947. A year later, the left-half joined West Ham for £3,000 and made his debut for the Hammers in 1950. After over 200 appearances for the east London club, he joined Preston in 1956 where he played alongside club legend Sir Tom Finney.
O’Farrell was also capped nine times for the Republic of Ireland national team between 1952 and 1959, scoring twice for his country.
