Not forgotten: Manchester United invite European Cup heroes of 1968 to Wembley

Manchester United have belatedly invited the surviving members of the 1968 European Cup winning team to this week's Champions League final against Barcelona after admitting they forgot to offer them complimentary tickets.

United will this Saturday attempt to emulate Sir Matt Busby's famous team of George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton and Paddy Crerand by winning Europe's top competition at Wembley.

Invite: Manchester United's 1968 European Cup heroes have been invited to Saturday's Champions League final

But the week has begun with embarrassed United officials trying to recover from a remarkable oversight after it emerged they had merely offered their 1968 heroes tickets to buy.

On Sunday night, United stressed to Sportsmail that there is no precedent for former winning teams to be invited to the final.

The 1968 team were invited to Moscow in 2008 because it was the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash.

At a reunion in 2005, several members of the '68 team pose with Benfica legend Eusebio. Left to right: David Sadler, Brian Kidd, Sir Bobby Charlton, unknown, Bill Foulkes (holding cup), Pat Crerand (behind bill foulkes), Alex Stepney, Eusebio, Nobby Stiles and John Aston

Nevertheless, United also confirmed the 1968 team would be contacted individually today and offered free tickets.

United's gaffe was placed in context when it emerged that Barcelona plan to reunite their 1992 Wembley champions on Saturday. Like United, the Catalans lifted the famous trophy for the first time at London's home of football, making it a symbolic venue for them.