Man United podcaster apologises after controversial Munich Air Disaster comments

Manchester United podcaster and presenter Stephen Howson has issued an apology after making a controversial on-air comparison between the Munich Air Disaster tragedy and Ed Woodward's stint in charge of the club.

The plane crash in 1958 killed 23 people after the United team, staff, supporters and journalists attempted to take off in Germany following a European Cup match in Yugoslavia. 11 of those who died were either players or worked directly at the club.

Woodward spent 10 years as executive vice-chairman before stepping down and being replaced by Richard Arnold in February, and his tenure has been criticised.

An ally of the much-maligned Glazer family, Woodward was unpopular with fans, who have largely placed the blame at his door for the current state of the team.

Howson, however, suggested in comments made on the Paddock podcast that the 50-year-old's decisions have set United back further than the 'Busby Babes' crash - before looking to clarify the intention behind his words after facing a backlash.

'I think where United are at the moment, f**k it I'm gonna say it on camera,' he said. 'I think Woodward was worse for us than Munich.

'Obviously I'm not comparing people passing away, but I'm saying 10 years post-Munich we was European champions. Ten years of Woodward, we're in the s**t.

'I'm absolutely not taking anything away from the people who have lost their lives in Munich, but in terms of something that's f*****g happened, Woodward has been f*****g worse for the football club and where we've progressed in that time.'

WARNING - THE FOLLOWING CONTENT CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE

A clip from Howson's full remarks were shared on social media, leading to him apologising and admitting he should have better conveyed what he meant.

Initially responding to the anger, he said: 'I can apologise on the delivery, for sure - but this wasn't a scripted point - never is. It's a podcast.

'It was 40 odd mins into a chat. I clarified at the time what I meant. Most people have understood. But Twitter will look for outrage like it always does.'

But later on, sharing the video from the episode, he tweeted: 'I definitely should have worded this better & apologise for any offence I've caused.

'Please watch the full context below, I hope people can see what I was trying to say.

'I'm a fan who loves our football club, not a trained presenter so I may f**k up sometimes. I've done some docs on Munich in past - I know the importance of this to our football club.'

Howson works alongside United legend Rio Ferdinand on his Vibe with Five show.

Stretford Paddock, the YouTube channel he features on, has 638,000 subscribers.