Man Utd Players Past and Present pay Tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton

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Manchester United players past and present are paying tribute to the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton after his passing at the age of 86.

Man Utd great Charlton was the club’s all-time leading goalscorer before Wayne Rooney broke his record in 2017 and was a survivor of the Munich air disaster in 1958, helping to rebuild the Red Devils after the tragedy.

He made 758 appearances in 17 years for United and his death leaves only Sir Geoff Hurst as the sole England player who started the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany still alive.

English football has unified in mourning of Charlton, well known for his modest, gentlemanly and shy nature, with tributes being paid across the world of football.

After United’s 2-1 win against Sheffield United on Saturday night, manager Erik ten Hag said: “A legend, a giant passing away – his achievements are so immense and huge. Global, not only England, [what] he achieved is incredible.”

David Beckham touched on his beginnings at Old Trafford: “It all began with Sir Bobby. Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United…I will forever be grateful to a man I was named after, someone I looked up to and was a hero to many around the world.”

Harry Maguire added: “Sir Bobby came into the dressing room a lot and he lit the place up. He’s an absolute legend of the club. We are delighted to win the game today but this is more than football and our thoughts are with his family. We will miss him, the world will miss him.”

Record United goalscorer Rooney, now in charge of Championship side Birmingham, said: “I’m still in shock. Coming out at half-time for the second half, we heard the news.

“Winning the World Cup in ’66 and the European Cup in ’68 after what he’d been through with the Munich disaster – he’s had a great life. He’s a great, an absolute legend of the game.”

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