For a club that prides itself on European pedigree, Manchester United’s failure to secure continental competition last season was nothing short of disastrous.

While many United fans will be ruing David Moyes for ending their love affair with Europe, talkSPORT offers some misty-eyed nostalgia as today marks 46 years since the club lifted their first European Cup.

With the club enduring a heart-breaking decade following the Munich air disaster in 1958, Matt Busby rebuilt his side and guided them to glory.

The final saw United take on Portuguese giants Benfica – Eusebio’s Benfica – in front of 92,000 fans inside Wembley Stadium.

At that point in time the Red Devils boasted one of their greatest ever sides, with Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law stealing the headlines – however a knee injury forced Law out of the final.

In his place came 19-year-old Brian Kidd, who would prove to be a surprise inspiration in attack.

Following an uneventful first-half, the match kicked into life as Charlton broke the deadlock, but just ten-minutes from time Jaime Graca levelled for Benfica to force extra time.

As the match wore on the toll of the contest visibly took its toll on the players, but seemingly not on the sprightly George Best, who picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and weaved through the Benfica defence and rounded Jose Henrique in goal to fire United into the lead with one of the most memorable final goals.

Minutes later Kidd added to the scoreline, before Charlton ended the contest with his second to make United the first English club to win the European Cup and the second following Celtic’s success in the competition a year earlier.