Thousands of people filled the streets of Manchester on Monday to pay their last respects to former Manchester United and England star Bobby Charlton, who died last month at the age of 86.

The 1966 world champion, widely regarded as one of the best players in English football history, died on October 21 after an accidental fall at his care home.

The crowd applauded heartily and held up banners as the funeral procession passed United’s Old Trafford stadium on its way to a private funeral at Manchester Cathedral to celebrate Charlton’s life.

The hearse passed the famous ‘United Trinity’ statue, which immortalized Charlton, Denis Law and George Best, and members of the club’s under-18 and under-21 teams formed a guard of honour.

Numerous black and white photographs were taken along the way, depicting Charlton’s long and illustrious career as a player and later as club director.

Around 1,000 guests, including former United manager Alex Ferguson, England manager Gareth Southgate and Prince William, attended the private funeral, along with current and former players.

Former United captain Bryan Robson told the BBC before the service: “For a player to win the World Cup, win the Champions League and have such a long and successful career, he has to be a fantastic player. But that was Sir Not Bob.” Not only is he a great player, but he was also a great person and had time for everyone.”

Former teammate Alex Stepney said Charlton always remained humble despite their success. “For him it was all about playing for Manchester United,” he said. “Even on international assignments the aim was to win and that was what it was all about for Bobby Charlton. A humble guy, a great family man. Success never went to his head.”

The ceremony, which included a eulogy from former Manchester United chief David Gill, ended with the tolling of bells as Charlton’s coffin, covered in white flowers, was carried.

Former England captain Gary Lineker said the service was “emotional and full of meaning”, describing Charlton as “in many ways more than just a footballer”.

“He was synonymous with the word ‘football’,” Lineker added. “We could go anywhere in the world, even to places where English wasn’t spoken, and everyone would say one thing: ‘Bobby Charlton’. It shows his fame, but it also shows how much respect and love he has around the world acquired.”

Survivor of the Munich tragedy

Charlton was a key member of the victorious England team at the 1966 World Cup, along with his late brother Jack. In total he played 106 games for England and scored 49 goals.

But Charlton also enjoyed great success at club level, with Manchester United becoming the first English club to win the European Cup (now the Champions League) in 1968, ten years after surviving a plane crash in Munich that killed eight of his companions. .

It was on February 6, 1958, after a match against the Red Star, in Belgrade, that the plane carrying Manchester United back to England – British European Airways Flight 609 – crashed near the city of Munich, in the Bavaria region (Germany). A total of 23 people were killed. Bobby Charlton was among the survivors.

After ending his playing career, he returned to the club as director in 1984 and remained an important figure until recent years.

In 2020 it was announced that he had been diagnosed with dementia and when the disease manifested he stopped attending matches at Old Trafford.

Ferguson, who led the club back to the pinnacle of European football, described the former midfielder as a “tower of strength” at the club during his 26-year spell as Red Devils manager.

In a eulogy published in the matchday program before the derby against Manchester City, Ferguson wrote: ‘People loved him for all those lightning goals, but it was more than that. My father always said that humility in the face of success is a sign of greatness. and that was Bobby. He never boasted about his own achievements, it was always about the team and the club.’