Tributes to a true great

GEOFF HURST

‘Very sad news today, one of the true Greats, Sir Bobby Charlton, has passed away.

‘We will never forget him. Nor will all of football.

‘A great colleague and friend, he will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone.

‘Condolences to his family and friends from Geoff and Judith.’

GARY NEVILLE

‘There’s no doubt he is English football’s greatest player... a champion on the pitch and off it.

‘When I joined United, Sir Alex brought Nobby Stiles and Brian Kidd in and Bobby Charlton was a director, and it reminded us of the club’s history. It was instilled in you every day... the Manchester United blazers we wore were the ones the Busby Babes wore, that Sir Bobby Charlton wore. No one represented those standards of Manchester United better than him.

‘He was the golden thread from Matt Busby to Sir Alex Ferguson, the two greatest eras in Manchester United’s history.’

PEP GUARDIOLA

‘I saw him in highlights. This sort of football personality represents English football like no one else can do.

‘Condolences from all of us to his family. Next week, when we go there to Old Trafford, we will be present to make a tribute.

‘I love this country for many things, but one thing is how they take care of legends of each club. They care of the legend of each club, they travel and represent.

‘Sir Bobby Charlton represents Manchester United and English football like no one else.’

RIO FERDINAND

‘What a true gentleman... of not many words, but when he spoke you stood still, stopped what you were doing and listened.

‘The words he shared with me at the bottom of those stairs in Moscow, before I went up to lift the Champions League trophy will stay with me forever. What it meant to lift that trophy for Man Utd, what it meant for the fans, what it meant for us as a team and what it now meant for myself as captain. It was a privilege to even get that moment with him.’

GARY LINEKER

‘Deeply saddened to hear that

Sir Bobby Charlton has died. A truly wonderful footballer and genuinely lovely man. A World Cup-winner, Man Utd great and, for me, England’s greatest ever player. He may no longer be with us, but he’ll have footballing immortality. RIP Sir Bobby.’

SHAY GIVEN

‘RIP Sir Bobby... thoughts and prayers with his family and friends.’