Sir Bobby Charlton - Mr. Manchester United

With Charlton becoming a complete player, he was at the heart of Manchester United’s holy trinity of Law, Best and Charlton. It used to simply roll off the tongue – Best-Law-Charlton – as the trio produced one magical moment after another on the pitch to become one of the most fearsome triumvirate of attack in Europe. And although they were different in terms of their abilities and lifestyles, they had one thing in common – to get United to the pinnacle of domestic and European football. The trio, led by Sir Bobby’s heroics, helped United win their first league title in the post-Munich era in 1965.

At that time, Bobby Charlton was maturing into one of the most influential player in England. He was a colossus on field. He was a player with great grace, moved along the ground very easily, beautiful balance, two-footed, with a beautiful running style, just floated over the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind. And the power with which he could hit a football towards the goal, with either foot, was like a cannon firing in its full swing with a precision of an Olympic gold medalist.

In 1966, when England hosted the World Cup, came his chance to spread his influence beyond England, and over the world. As with United, he was now a centerpiece in the England national team. Then England manager, Alf Ramsey, used to ask his players to give the ball to Bobby when in doubt, and let him develop the play. Bobby Charlton was that good. With Sir Bobby in their ranks, England had a growing self belief for their chances in the World Cup.

Spurred on by Bobby Charlton, where he scored in crucial encounters against Mexico and Portugal, England won the World cup in 1966. In the same year, he was also crowned as the European footballer of the year. The whole of England was proud of Sir Bobby.

For Sir Bobby himself, however, there was still one prize that eluded him. Ten years on from the Munich tragedy, Charlton and Sir Matt Busby were still consumed by their obsession for European glory. Another league triumph in 1967 gave them their chance for one final bite at the cherry. This time, they didn’t let themselves down. After all they had been through, it seemed that United simply had to win the title to balance the scales that have been tipped against them.

Sir Bobby scored twice, one in normal time and one in extra time, to beat Benfica 4-1 in the 1968 European cup final and claimed the final frontier. For Charlton, it was a perfect tribute to his fallen colleagues as he famously missed the post-match celebrations – opting instead to conduct a solitary remembrance of absent friends.

After achieving almost everything in football, he called it a day on his illustrious career in May 1973 after 758 appearances, three league titles and one European Cup with Manchester United . He still remains the highest goal scorer for Manchester United and England with 249 and 49 goals scored respectively.

In 1984, he re-joined Manchester United as a club director – a position that he still holds today. To have him around the place after all these years, he is a great influence on any young United player coming through.

Because you can just see, just in one man, the entire history of Manchester United really. He is rightfully immortalized outside Old Trafford in a statue alongside Denis Law and George Best. He is Manchester United figurehead – a link to club’s past, present and future. He is a living legend. He is, well and truly, Mr. Manchester United!