“Dion Dublin was on his haunches, his face filled with shock,” recalls David Busst. “I heard people say that Peter Schmeichel was physically sick on the pitch. As I lay there in agony, all I could think was, ‘someone please help me’.”
It was the crucial stage of the 1995-96 season. Manchester United, trailing Newcastle United by 12 points, were on their way to clinching their third Premier League title in four seasons. The home supporters were in high spirits as struggling Coventry City visited Old Trafford. However, just 87 seconds into the match, the atmosphere drastically changed.
The 50,332 fans fell into a stunned silence after witnessing one of the most horrifying injuries in Premier League history. Coventry’s Noel Whelan’s header was parried by goalkeeper Schmeichel, only for it to land at the feet of defender Busst at the far post.
“It landed perfectly for me inside the six-yard box,” Busst tells BBC Sport. “I went for the ball, and the next thing I knew, I was lying flat on my back.”
Busst, in enormous pain and shock, refused to move. Schmeichel, unable to bear the sight, covered his face with his gloves after throwing the ball out of play, allowing immediate medical attention for his injured opponent.
Busst’s right leg had been shattered in an unintended collision with United’s Denis Irwin and Brian McClair, who were attempting to block the shot. McClair offered his opponent comfort by holding his hand, while medical staff from both teams rushed onto the pitch.
Play was halted for a grueling nine minutes as Busst, who had joined Coventry from non-league football, was attended to by medical professionals.
GET MORE RELATED CONTENT ON SPORTWORDS.CO.UK
Leave a Reply