Reds legend Bobby’s dementia diagnosis
OLD TRAFFORD GIANT CHARLTON REVEALS DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS
MANCHESTER United have pledged their support to Sir Bobby Charlton and his family after it was announced he has been diagnosed with dementia.
Charlton, 83, is one of United’s greatest players, having won three English league titles and the 1963 FA Cup, as well as scoring twice in the 1968 European Cup final triumph 10 years after he survived the Munich air disaster.
United said in a statement: “Everyone at Manchester United is saddened that this terrible disease has afflicted Sir Bobby Charlton and we continue to offer our love and support to Sir Bobby and his family.”
Charlton’s brother, Jack, died earlier this year after being diagnosed with dementia and fellow England ‘66 teammate Nobby Stiles, who died last week, also suffered from the disease.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke about Sir Bobby and Stiles after his side’s 1-0 home loss to Arsenal last night.
He said: “Of course it’s sad news for everyone surrounding Man United and are fans of Nobby. I had the pleasure of meeting him and what a humble man. It’s sad and of course we as a club want to support Sir Bobby as well.”
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce, who spent almost a decade as a player at Old Trafford, described both Stiles and Charlton as ‘greats’.
Bruce said: “I’ve had the privilege to have been in their company many, many times. The two of them are greats. The way they are as football players is one thing, but their humility, what they stood for, they way they were as individuals, Nobby and Sir Bobby were quite exemplary.
“All the advice they gave, you’d accept. In the 10 years nearly I was there at Manchester United, he came round, Sir Bobby did, every day and shook you by the hand.
“He came into the dressing room and that presence of, ‘Wow! There’s Sir Bobby Charlton, what a player he was’. I wish him well, and my thoughts also go to Nobby Stiles’ family. We were all saddened by that news as well.”
Charlton, a United director since 1984 and a club ambassador, has not attended a match at Old Trafford since the FA Cup third round replay win over Wolves in January.