Manchester United and the footballing world lost an absolute icon yesterday, with the news that club legend Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away.
The news broke yesterday that the 86-year-old had sadly passed. Manchester United issued a statement on the terrible news.
It read: “Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club.
“His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football.”
David Beckham owes Sir Bobby Charlton
Thousands in the footballing world are mourning over the great forward’s death. He did so much for United and for the sport as a whole.
A lovely story about Sir Bobby that epitomises his greatness is how he was essential in bringing up one of Manchester United’s greatest-ever players – David Beckham.
“Sir Bobby’s always been about being successful in his career, but he’s even more about helping other people and helping others,” Beckham said in a BBC documentary on Charlton back in 2017.
“And that’s what’s special about him as a person. He’s respected on the field and he’s respected even more so off the field.
“To look back all those years ago and to say Sir Bobby was one of the main reasons why I was able to join Manchester United. Because after being at his soccer school, he passed the word on to the club that maybe you should look out for me.”
Beckham would go on to become one of Manchester United’s greatest-ever players. He played 394 games for the Red Devils over 11 years and won countless trophies in the process.
Sir Bobby Charlton was more than just a player
Despite his greatness on the pitch, it was the person who Charlton was that also put him amongst some of the greatest men to ever walk the planet.
He was known for immense kindness, a heart of gold and an undying love for a football club to which he gave so much.
He will be sorely missed, but never, ever forgotten.