Sir Bobby Charlton passes away

The Premier League is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton CBE, a member of England’s 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning team and a Manchester United legend, at the age of 86.

A statement from the club said: "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."

Sir Bobby joined Matt Busby’s United as a 15-year-old in 1953 after he was spotted playing in Northumberland, and turned professional with the club in October 1954.

He was part of the “Busby Babes”, the Man Utd players who emerged from the devastation of the Munich air disaster of 1958, to claim the league title and become the first English team to win the European Cup, now known as the UEFA Champions League.

Sir Bobby made 758 appearances for the Red Devils. His 249 goals for Man Utd remained a club record until Wayne Rooney surpassed this total in 2017.

In addition to his World Cup and European Cup successes, Sir Bobby won three First Division titles (1957, 1965, 1967), one FA Cup at United, and represented England 106 times, scoring 49 goals. He remains the only England player to feature in four World Cup squads: 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970.

Sir Bobby was England's top scorer from May 1968, when he beat Jimmy Greaves' record of 44 goals, until Rooney moved past the tally in September 2015.

Shortly before the 1966 World Cup, Sir Bobby was also named Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year and European Footballer of the Year in quick succession.

He went on to win the Ballon d’Or that same year ahead of Eusebio, Franz Beckenbauer and his World Cup-winning captain, Bobby Moore. Sir Bobby finished runner-up for the award a further two times, in 1967 and 1968.

After retiring and stints in management with Preston North End and Wigan Athletic, Sir Bobby became a director at Man Utd in June 1984. A decade later he was knighted for his services to football and charity work, having previously been awarded the OBE and CBE.

The South Stand at Old Trafford has since been renamed the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand to honour a much-loved and well-respected ambassador of the club, English football and the game across the world.