86-year-old Manchester United Legend, passes away
Bobby Charlton, a legendary member of Manchester United and
the man who guided England to its lone World Cup victory in 1966, passed away
on Saturday at the age of 86, the team confirmed.
In a statement, the
Premier League team said: "Manchester United is in grief following the
demise of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most adored players in
our club's history.
The reason of death was not disclosed. The sole
surviving member of the 1966 England team that won the World Cup is Geoff Hurst
now that Charlton has passed on.
During the Munich
air disaster in 1958, which resulted in the deaths of eight of Charlton's
colleagues, a British European Airways plane carrying the Manchester United
team crashed on its third attempt to take off.
Charlton is known
as a "giant of the game" who inspired fans and other players all
around the world. Charlton scored two goals and was instrumental in helping
Manchester United win the European Cup in 1968.
One of the greatest
players in English football history, Sir Bobby Charlton, passed away, and the
Premier League expressed their "deep sorrow" at his loss. We send our
sympathies to Sir Bobby's family, friends, and everyone at Manchester United.
Having joined
Manchester United's youth program as a youngster and later playing for the team
for 17 years, Charlton had a lengthy association with the organization. In 758
games during the course of his stint with the team, he scored 249 goals and won
three league championships, the FA Cup, and the European Cup.
Charlton kept
working for Manchester United after he stopped playing football, spending 39
years in that position.
Charlton's World
Cup teammate Geoff Hurst paid tribute to him on social media, calling him
"1 of the true Greats."
Soccer player David Beckham also expressed his
sorrow over Charlton's passing on Instagram, writing about the influence the
player had on his own illustrious career with Manchester United. Beckham's
parents gave him the middle name "Robert" in honor of the legendary
sportsman, Charlton, and named him after the footballer.
Along with a
picture of himself as a young player at Charlton, Beckham said, "It all
began with Sir Bobby.
On Nov. 17, when
Gareth Southgate's team plays Malta, a complete tribute to Charlton will be
given, according to the English Football Association.