Sir Bobby Charlton’s impact on Manchester United

National World - LocalTV

Following his death, we look back at what sort of figure Sir Bobby Charlton was at Manchester United.

Transcript

00:00 So Michael, we've recently learned the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, Man United England legend.

00:06 What sort of impact does he have at Manchester United and football as a whole?

00:10 Obviously, you are really close with Manchester United.

00:13 He must be such a dominant figure there.

00:18 Yeah, he was. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say he is potentially the most influential figure in Manchester United's history,

00:26 to be totally honest with you, certainly alongside Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.

00:31 I certainly think that's the case.

00:32 And of course, I think as Gary Neville brilliantly summed up the weekend,

00:36 he was the golden thread between Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.

00:41 Obviously, he came through as a Busby babe, suffered the trauma and the awful events of Munich Air Disaster,

00:48 came back from that to win the European Cup in 1968.

00:51 I mean, who knows what emotions he was feeling that day?

00:55 You know, just things I don't think we can even kind of comprehend, really.

01:00 And then to go on and become a director at Manchester United,

01:03 play such a pivotal role in Sir Alex Ferguson's early years, let's say.

01:08 I mean, I know I remember reading Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography a number of years ago,

01:11 and he spoke about his, Bobby Charlton's unwavering support in that period.

01:16 And then, you know, right through the successful eras and the successful period.

01:20 And I mean, I even heard Diogo Dalo speaking recently, saying that he met him quite a few times,

01:25 that he was in the dressing room after matches.

01:27 And, you know, that comes right up to the present era.

01:29 So we're talking about a player who has had an impact at Manchester United since the 1950s, right up to the modern day.

01:35 So really, I think that sums it up.

01:37 And look, I never met him. I was in a room with him once, but I never met him.

01:40 But he was, by all accounts, a fantastic person, a real gentleman.

01:45 I do think that comes across in interviews as well, that, you know, a very reserved character.

01:50 And yeah, and who just had an incredible life in football.

01:56 And I mean, we haven't even talked about his impact for England.

01:58 And, you know, the records that he set, you know, England's top goalie score for so long, that record stood.

02:05 And of course, Manchester United as well.

02:07 Just remarkable numbers that he achieved.

02:10 And of course, you know, winning the World Cup in England in 1966.

02:15 One of the very few players in the world who have won the World Cup, the Champions League or European Cup and the Ballon d'Or.

02:22 I mean, you know, it really doesn't get much higher, the praise for him than that.

02:26 And yeah, I think it was a very sombre occasion for United against Copenhagen.

02:32 I was there. I was out at the Trinity statue.

02:36 And yeah, it was just a really moving occasion.

02:40 So many fans there had come to pay their respects and I think United handled everything very well, I must say.

02:46 And really, their tribute and the way they've honoured him has been fantastic.

02:49 And yeah, he's someone who just touched multiple generations.

02:52 And the Book of Condolence, you know, I'm going to sign it later this week.

02:56 I'm going to sign it on behalf of myself, my dad and my granddad, which I think kind of sums up his legacy in football.

03:02 That three generations of football fans have been inspired, I suppose, and impacted by Bobby Shortland's legacy.

03:10 So, yes, very, very sad news for the world of football.

Category

Transcript

Recommended