McIlroy opens up about 1973 car crash

The Belfast-born player became Sir Matt Busby's last signing as United manager and played for the club through the 1970s, making a total of 419 appearances for the Reds - which places him 23rd in the all-time list.

However, that number could have been much smaller, as he reveals in the latest episode of our podcast series. That's because a routine trip to go and get fish and chips in January 1973 resulted in a car accident, which could have had fatal consequences for the United hero and his then-partner, who was expecting a baby.

“[Afterwards], I was told by one of the doctors that the fire brigade and the ambulance had said 'Leave him, he’s gone. Look after the lady that’s pregnant,'”…