Sir Bobby Charlton dead: Man Utd icon dies aged 86 as tributes pour in
Sir Bobby Charlton has died at the age of 86 with Man Utd paying tribute
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Sir Bobby Charlton has died at the age of 86.
The Manchester United icon made 758 appearances for the club during his playing days, with Ryan Giggs the only player to feature for the club on more occasions.
Charlton first started playing for United during the 1956/57 season, where he scored 12 goals from 17 appearances.
Two years later he was one of the survivors of the Munich Air Disaster - which killed 23 people, including eight players, with journalists and staff members also tragically among the fatalities.
Sir Bobby Charlton has a stand named after him at Man Utd's Old Trafford
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Charlton would go on to become a legend at United, famously propelling the club to European Cup glory in 1968 - 10 years after the devastating incident in Germany.
He was a key player for Sir Matt Busby and struck up a great understanding with team-mates George Best and Denis Law - with the trio all having statues outside Old Trafford.
Charlton was also part of the England team that won the World Cup back in 1966.
He made 106 appearances for his country and bagged 49 goals - a number only Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane have been able to better in the years since.
United have now announced Charlton's death and paid tribute to their former midfielder.
A club statement 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.
"Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.
"He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.
"A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup.
"For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup.
"Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years.
"His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.
"The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him."
Charlton's family also released a statement of their own.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning," it read.
"He was surrounded by his family.
"His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him.
"We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”
Charlton married wife Norma Ball back in 1959 after meeting at a ice rink in Manchester.
The pair married in 1961 and have two daughters, Suzanne and Andrea.
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Sir Bobby Charlton won the European Cup while playing for Manchester United back in 1968
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Fans on social media have paid tribute to Charlton.
Writing on X, one said: "May his soul rest in peace."
"Rest in peace our club legend," another wrote.
"Rest well Bobby!" were the touching words of a third supporter.
"Thank you for everything!!! RIP to the greatest," said another.
And a fifth said: "This one is tough. RIP Legend."
Sir Bobby Charlton married wife Norma in 1961 and the pair have two children together
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Manchester United have now swapped the colours of their website from red to black after Charlton's passing.
The club will honour their former midfielder when they play Sheffield United in their Premier League clash on Saturday night (8pm).