David Beckham was named after Sir Bobby Charlton as former Man Utd star pays tribute

Fans have already started to flock to Old Trafford to remember their icon, who won three First Division titles and the European Cup during his stint with the team.

And Beckham, writing on social media, has revealed he was named after Charlton.

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One of the 48-year-old's middle names is Robert.

He said: "It all began with Sir Bobby.

"Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United.

"I will be forever grateful to a man I was named after, someone I looked up to and was a hero to many around the world not just in Manchester and our country where he won the World Cup in 1966.

"A true gentleman, family man and truly a national hero… Today isn’t just a sad day for Manchester United & England it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented.

"Our thoughts go out to Lady Norma, there (sic) daughters and grandchildren x Rest in Peace Sir Bobby.

"@Manchesterunited @England today our hearts are heavy."

Beckham previously revealed in 2016 that Charlton had been his father's favourite player - hence his middle name.

"I was lucky enough to meet him when I went to the Bobby Charlton Soccer School at the age of 10 when I first came here, and I won it when I was 11," Beckham told MUTV at the time.

"It was a dream to meet him because he was my dad’s favourite player and my middle name Robert is after Sir Bobby!

"He would always try to help the young players.

"When you play for a club and you have ex-players that come and talk to you that are involved with the team, it means a lot.

"But when you have Sir Bobby Charlton come up to you and say well done or this is how you can do something better or this is how you represent the club, it means something.

"It means so much when you have someone of that stature and with that experience who is a legend at the club you support.

"He means so much to so many people, especially to Manchester United fans and England fans."

Former England stars have also paid tribute to Charlton.

Gary Neville said: "So sorry to hear the news of Sir Bobby Charlton.

"The greatest English football player and Manchester United’s greatest ambassador.

"A champion on and off the pitch and a Busby Babe that paved the way for all to come at United. Rest In Peace Sir Bobby."

Alan Shearer told the BBC: "If you hadn't watched a game of football and didn't see him play, you would just see him as this normal guy.

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"He was so humble about everything he had won.

"When you read out everything he has done in the game, how many trophies he has won, appearances he has made and goals he has scored, he could have been excused for having a little bit of arrogance about him.

"But there was absolutely none of that at all.

"I don't think you will ever hear anyone say a bad word against him."

And Gary Lineker said: "For me England's greatest ever player.

"You can only judge players that you have seen in your lifetime and I was lucky enough to see Bobby Charlton play when I was a young boy.

"It's a very sad day, he was one of my heroes, one of many people's heroes.

"It's difficult to judge the 'best ever', but he was synonymous with English football all over the world for such a long time.

"You could go somewhere that no one spoke English but people would know Bobby Charlton.

"That was a true testament to the fame he had and a testament to his ability."