Football in mourning as Sir Bobby Charlton passes away at the age of 86

Charlton was a key member of England's victorious 1966 World Cup team and also enjoyed great success at club level with United, who became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968.

A statement on behalf of the Charlton family said: "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.”

The statement added: "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."

Charlton's European Cup success at United came 10 years after the Munich air disaster, which he and team manager Sir Matt Busby survived but which claimed the lives of eight of Charlton's team-mates.

Born in Ashington on October 11 1937, Charlton played in the World Cup final alongside his brother Jack, who died aged 85 in 2020, and won 106 caps for England, scoring 49 goals.

He made his debut for United in 1956 and went on to play 758 matches for the Red Devils, scoring 249 goals. Both were long-standing club records until they were overtaken by Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney respectively.

Charlton won three league three titles and one FA Cup at Old Trafford a leaving United in 1973 and becoming Preston manager.

He took over as caretaker manager of Latics on Easter Monday, 1983 after Larry Lloyd was sacked earlier in the day, with the club 17th in the Third Division after eight games without a win.

Latics eventually finished 18th that season, with Harry McNally taking most of the training sessions, and becoming full-time manager that summer.

Charlton, who also served as a director at Wigan, returned to Old Trafford years later as a director and was knighted for services to football in 1994.