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The United captain who managed Real Betis

Related Topics: Patrick O'Connell, Real Betis

However, Patrick O’Connell, who was born in Dublin on this day (8 March) in 1887, died penniless in 1959 and spent 57 years lying in an unmarked grave in London.

It's only in recent years that his remarkable story has come to greater prominence within the football world.

In 2018, a film about his life, entitled Don Patricio, premiered in Dublin. And ahead of Thursday night's UEFA Europa League tie at Old Trafford, a man who served both United and Real Betis in notable roles – and also helped save FC Barcelona from financial ruin, by the way – is at last getting some long-overdue recognition.