The tragic story of Manchester United's darkest day - filmed in part at Carlisle's Brunton Park - returns to screens tonight on the 60th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

United is based on the inspirational true story of the 'Busby Babes', the youngest side ever to win the Football League, and the 1958 air crash that claimed eight of their group.

It focuses how they turned tragedy into triumph and rebuilt the club.

The film, starring Doctor Who and Broadchurch actor David Tennant as coach Jimmy Murphy, draws on first-hand interviews with the survivors and their families to tell the inspirational story of a team and community overcoming terrible tragedy.

Carlisle's Brunton Park was transformed into Old Trafford's ‘Theatre of Dreams’ for the drama back in late 2010.

Brunton Park was chosen as the set for Old Trafford because of its terraces, which make it resemble the Manchester club’s ground as it was during the 1950s.

It also stars Scottish actor Dougray Scott and Skins star Jack O'Connell, who plays Sir Bobby Charlton.

At the time of the accident Matt Busby’s team were on their way home from a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade. After a stop-off in Munich to refuel, their plane skidded off the runway on its third attempt to get airborne for the onward flight.

In total, eight of the Busby Babes lost their lives, along with club staff, sports journalists and air crew members.

The 90-minute drama United first aired on BBC2 in April 2011.

Tonight it will be shown on True Movies at 9pm. True Movies is on Sky 321, Freesat 302, Virgin 424.

Meanwhile three Manchester United first-team players have participated in a new short film to commemorate the 60th anniversary.

Ander Herrera, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard linked up with the Manchester United Foundation, the charity arm of the club which was set up in 2007 as a legacy to the Busby Babes, for the project.

The players were joined by young people to recite a poignant poem, which was interspersed with emotive imagery of the Busby Babes and newspaper clippings from the tragic event.

The poem concludes with footage of a huge 'We'll Never Die' banner being held aloft by fans in the Stretford End at Old Trafford.

The message is that the Busby Babes - United's brilliant side of the 1950s, of which eight members were killed in the disaster - will 'never die' in the hearts and minds of the club and fans.

The young people involved are from the foundation's powerchair football team, girls' regional talent club and partner schools.

Lingard said: "As youth players, the history of the club is instilled in us and it's really important that we learn and understand about what happened in 1958 - not just about the air disaster, but also what an amazing team the Busby Babes were and the legacy they left.

"All the players from the academy through to the first team understand the importance of us remembering the Munich air disaster and we were really happy to support the Foundation film, because like the young people in the film, we all support Manchester United and its history, so it was a nice way to pay our respects."

The film has been released on YouTube and for download on the day of the anniversary. A memorial service also took place at Old Trafford earlier.