Gibson, a self-made businessman from Salford, stepped in to save United at a time when its future was in doubt and laid the foundations for the decades of success which followed.
It was under Gibson’s ownership that United established the youth system that became such a central part of the club’s identity, and he was also responsible for hiring Sir Matt Busby as manager.
Alan Embling, the great-nephew of Gibson, said: “It’s not an exaggeration to say that, without James W. Gibson’s intervention, Manchester United would not have become the great club we all love today, because it was in a very difficult position when he took over.