Sir Bobby Charlton was one of the iconic leaders of Sir Matt Busby’s all-conquering Manchester United team, and was thrilled to see the team enjoy unprecedented success years later under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sir Bobby Charlton passed away over the weekend, at the age of 86, with Manchester United confirming his death.
Sir Alex Ferguson‘s Manchester United brought great joy to Sir Bobby Charlton in his later years, where he worked as a director.
Charlton was able to enjoy United’s success as a fan, celebrating the achievements and watching players win trophies in the same way he used to. And there was one player who really stood out for him.
Sir Bobby Charlton praised Paul Scholes
Sir Bobby Charlton picked out Paul Scholes as the Manchester United player he enjoyed watching the most.
It shouldn’t be a surprise. Both players had a lot in common. They were Manchester United academy graduates who each won multiple league titles and the European Cup, and both represented England.
Like Charlton, Scholes was a midfielder with an uncanny habit of scoring long-range goals. It’s no wonder he thought so highly of him.
Writing in his autobiography, Sir Bobby Charlton: My Manchester United Years, Charlton raved about the 11-times Premier League winner.
He said: “I have no hesitation in putting a name to such an embodiment of all that I believe is best about football: Paul Scholes.
“I have watched closely in every surge of the Ferguson era. Assessing them and grading them all precisely is a difficult, maybe impossible job, but if I am honest I have to admit that in so many ways Scholes is my favourite.
“I love both his nous and conviction that he will find a way to win, to make the killer pass or produce the decisive volley with such instant authority and nerve. When a game reaches a vital phase, these qualities seem to come out of his every pore.”
He went onto add: “Paul is so good now that it is always the greatest disappointment for me when I do not see his name on the team-sheet.”
Scholes pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton
Paul Scholes was among the Manchester United greats to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton over the past 24 hours.
Scholes posted a short message on Instagram, writing: “What a man!! Rip Sir Bobby💔”
Sir Bobby Charlton won an official club poll in 2020 among Manchester United fans for the club’s greatest ever Englishman.
Scholes was not far behind in third place, with Wayne Rooney voted into second.