Drama revisits the Busby Babes story

The former Doctor Who actor David Tennant is to star in a new drama which tells the story of the "Busby Babes" and the air disaster in which many of them died. (PA)

The former Doctor Who actor David Tennant is to star in a new drama which tells the story of the "Busby Babes" and the air disaster in which many of them died.

The Manchester United players became the youngest side to win the Football League but the squad was ripped apart when eight perished in the Munich air crash in 1958. In the BBC film, called United, Tennant will play coach Jimmy Murphy, who was not involved in the fatal crash but who helped rebuild the team as manager Matt Busby recovered from his injuries.

Jack O'Connell will play Bobby Charlton and Sam Claflin will play Duncan Edwards. The actor playing Busby is yet to be named.