Manchester United legend Charlton is dead

By Peter Ochieng

Manchester United and England national football team legend Sir Bobby Charlton is dead.

His family said he passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, most likely due to dementia, a condition he was diagnosed with in November, 2020.

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Charlton died surrounded by his family. "We would request that the family's privacy be respected at this time," the family said in a statement. He died aged 86.

Sir Bobby Charlton won 106 caps for England and scored 49 international goals. He was instrumental in England’s 1966 World Cup triumph on home soil.

During a 17-year first-team career with United, he won three league titles, a European Cup and an FA Cup.

Manchester United’s tribute described him as “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."

Former Manchester United captain Garry Neville said he was the club’s greatest ambassador.

“So sorry to hear the news of Sir Bobby Charlton. The Greatest English Football player and Manchester United’s greatest ambassador. A champion on and off the pitch and a Busby Babe that paved the way for all to come at United. Rest in Peace Sir Bobby.”

“Deeply saddened to hear that Sir Bobby Charlton has died. A truly wonderful footballer and genuinely lovely man. A World Cup winner, Manchester United 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, “wrote former England player, now BBC presenter Gary Lineker.