Gary Neville's poignant handwritten tribute to 'greatest' Sir Bobby Charlton
Manchester United have shared a handwritten message from Gary Neville paying tribute to "the greatest English footballer" Sir Bobby Charlton after the World Cup winner's death.
Charlton, who won the World Cup with England in 1966 and the European Cup with United two years later, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. United have opened up a book of condolences for fans to pay their respects, with Neville among the former players to do so.
A minute’s silence is due to be held for Charlton before United take on FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Additionally, a wreath will be placed on Charlton’s seat in the directors’ box and players and club staff will don black armbands for a player who Neville praised highly in his moving message.
"Sir Bobby, the greatest Englsih footballer and the greatest ambassador for English football," Neville's message began. "The epitome of what 'a Manchester United player is'.
"Honesty, courage, hard work, loyalty and talent! The Busby Babes are my heroes and I hope you are all hugging each other right now. Thank you isn't enough for how much you have done for our great club. Rest in peace."
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Over the weekend, the Charlton family put out a statement confirming his passing. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family," it began.
"His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him. We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”
In addition to the tributes before the Copenhagen game, there will also be a minute's applause for Charlton ahead of Sunday's Manchester Derby. The club is also planning tributes in the matchday programme for both games.
The statue of George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton outside Old Trafford (PA)“He is in front of Old Trafford,” [as part of a statue] United boss Erik ten Hag said of Charlton. “With Denis Law and George Best. He is always with us. They are always a huge inspiration for us, every day, and in every game.
“First we want to win as a tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, but also you want always to do that in a certain way and that is what we are aiming for. It is not always possible in football, sometimes you don’t play that well but you have to find a way to win.
“I was happy on Saturday that we could show tribute with a win [against Sheffield United] but also with the way we scored that second goal,” he added. United will now be desperate for another three points against Copenhagen on Tuesday as they aim to pick up their first Champions League points of the campaign.
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