Manchester United Will Honor Charlton On Tuesday Evening
Manchester United is set to offer further respects to the late Sir Bobby Charlton prior to the Champions League match scheduled for Tuesday night at Old Trafford.
The United Trinity statue, located outside the stadium, was adorned with tributes to Sir Bobby Charlton, with supporters leaving flowers and scarves. The messages expressed were deeply personal, honoring one of the club’s most renowned figures who passed away at the age of 86.
A book of condolence was opened within the stadium’s International Suite, where current manager Erik Ten Hag and members of the United squad conveyed their condolences.
United has confirmed that discussions are ongoing with Sir Bobby Charlton’s family and UEFA to establish additional commemorative plans leading up to the Champions League Group A match against Copenhagen on Tuesday night. It is expected that players will don black armbands, lay wreaths on the Old Trafford pitch, and observe a minute’s silence prior to kick-off.
Sir Bobby Charlton, a key member of England’s victorious 1966 World Cup team, also enjoyed remarkable success with United. The club achieved a historic milestone in 1968 as the first English team to win the European Cup. Charlton’s legacy includes making his debut for United in 1956 and accumulating 758 appearances and 249 goals during his tenure, records that remained unbroken until Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney surpassed them. He was knighted in 1994 for his services to football.
Having won three league titles and one FA Cup at Old Trafford, Charlton’s contributions extended beyond the pitch. He briefly managed Preston before returning to Manchester United 11 years later as a club director.
David Moyes, now in charge at West Ham, reflected on Sir Bobby Charlton’s unwavering support during one of the most challenging phases of his managerial career. Moyes remembered Sir Bobby’s kindness and noted that he was “one of the main people in English football over the years.”
Sir Bobby Charlton passed away peacefully in the early hours of the morning, surrounded by his family. Born in Ashington on October 11, 1937, he played in the World Cup final alongside his brother Jack, and his international career included 106 caps and 49 goals for England.
European Cup success with Manchester United followed the Munich air disaster, a tragic event that claimed the lives of eight of his teammates but one that Charlton and manager Sir Matt Busby survived.
His former teammate Denis Law expressed his sadness, noting Sir Bobby’s incredible playing skills and the special bond between the three legendary figures, himself, Sir Bobby, and George Best.
In addition to his contributions on the field, Sir Bobby Charlton was diagnosed with dementia, a condition that was made public in November 2020, following the passing of his United and England teammate, Nobby Stiles.
Tributes to Sir Bobby Charlton were left at Old Trafford, reflecting his status as a football hero and a symbol of history, dignity, and integrity for the club and the football community worldwide. Manchester United Women’s manager, Marc Skinner, dedicated a recent victory to his memory, acknowledging the profound impact he had on the sport and the club.
