DENIS LAW, the last surviving member of Manchester United’s holy trinity, has paid a moving tribute to “unbelievable” Sir Bobby Charlton.
Law hailed the “many special and successful years” they shared with fellow Reds hero George Best.
11Denis Law, the last of Man Utd’s ‘holy trinity’ has paid tribute to Sir Bobby CharltonCredit: Getty
11Charlton, Law and George Best are idolised with a statue at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
11Fans have paid tribute to Sir Bobby at Old TraffordCredit: PA
The trio were integral as the Red Devils become the first English side to win the European Cup in 1968.
And Law, 83, paid a moving tribute to “unbelievable” Sir Bobby after the 86-year-old’s death on Saturday.
The Scot said: “Another sad day. Sir Bobby was an unbelievable player and gentleman.
“Manchester United meant everything to him. We had many special and successful years together and he was a joy to play with.
“I knew if Bobby had the ball it would find me. What a striker of the ball he was.
“He could hit the ball so hard, most keepers didn’t stand a chance. On the rare occasion they did manage to deflect it, it would drop nicely to me to finish it off.”
Best, Law and Charlton scored 665 goals in 1,636 games for the club.
And each won the Ballon d’Or between 1964-68 — with Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 the only United player to do it since.
11Law says Charlton was an ‘unbelievable’ footballerCredit: Getty
11The duo and Best are hailed with turning United into a global forceCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Law added: “Bobby knew where every player was on the pitch and that was a dream. The great part of playing with Bobby and George was if one of us was having a bad day, the other two knew. That made our relationship special.”
Charlton is one of only TWO Englishmen, along with former Three Lions and United team-mate Nobby Stiles, to have won the World Cup and the European Cup.
And although many consider him England’s greatest ever player, the Northumberland born forward was also heralded for his achievements, wisdom and kindness off the pitch.
Legendary Danish keeper Peter Schmeichel, 59, credited “humble” Charlton with instilling Manchester United’s “culture and standards” after the horror of 1958 Munich air disaster in which eight players and three members of staff died.
He said: “I’m very sad. Anyone who came into contact with Sir Bobby realised he was a humble, ordinary man from the north who achieved extraordinary things on a football pitch that will be remembered forever.
“Not just his stats, but what he did to survive the air disaster, see some of his best friends not survive and his manager Sir Matt Busby read the last rights three times — uncertain if he was going to survive.
“But he did and the two were the main characters in rebuilding United and from that we have the club’s culture and standards that were set by Sir Matt and Sir Bobby.”
Schmeichel signed from Brondby in 1991 — seven years after retired Charlton became a club director.
11Fans paid tribute to Sir Bobby on SundayCredit: AFP
11Flowers were left outside the Theatre of DreamsCredit: Getty
He added: “Straight away you were under his wing and received as if you were somebody the club had been waiting for.
“He’d come into the dressing room after every game, be encouraging, take time to listen and always project that he believed in you and you were one player he wanted in his team.
“I haven’t met many people in football with his humility and personality. He never used great words about himself or his achievements.
“He was so proud of United and apart from his family, the most important thing to him was United doing well.
“He played a massive part in Man United holding on to Sir Alex Ferguson when everyone thought his job was under threat in the late 80s.
“So his impact in his 39 years as a director cannot be undervalued. And as a player he was so ahead of his time.
“We have lost an incredible football person but more than anything, a very extraordinary human being.”
Phil Neville echoed his old team-mate Schmeichel’s sentiments.
11The famous statue was covered in scarvesCredit: Getty
11Fans lined up to sign a book of condolencesCredit: Getty
The 46-year-old said: “Bobby was one of the giants of the game worldwide, not just in one club.
“When you talk about greats — Pele, Maradona, Michael Jordan, Messi — Bobby is up there.
“Bobby taught me how to behave as a Manchester United footballer. Bobby taught every footballer that came in what it meant to play for United.
“He demanded players wore the club blazer. He wanted you to act and behave in a certain way, with class and dignity like he did.
“Bobby was my father’s hero and then became my hero. I was in awe of him. A sad day.”
Ex-Manchester United manager, now West Ham boss, David Moyes: “I am deeply saddened.
“It was difficult at times for me at Manchester United and he was incredibly supportive to me.”
Rio Ferdinand captained the Red Devils to Champions League glory with a penalty shootout triumph over Chelsea in the 2008 Moscow final.
11Many wore shirts bearing Charlton’s nameCredit: PA
11Sir Bobby will never be forgotten by the football communityCredit: PA
The former centre-back, 44, said: “The words Bobby shared with me before I went to lift the Champions League trophy will stay with me forever.
“What it meant for the fans, for us as a team and myself as captain.”
United defender Raphael Varane, 30, said: “We players at this special club stand on the shoulders of giants every day, and Sir Bobby was the biggest of them all. His impact will live on for generations to come.”
One mourning fan at Old Trafford yesterday wrote: “Thank you Sir Bobby, a hero to the worldwide football family.”
Fan group The 1958 said: “History, dignity and integrity is what you gave to our great club. Our promise to you is to make sure it stays.”
Charlton scored 249 goals in 758 United matches after his 1956 debut.
Both were club records until Wayne Rooney became top scorer in 2017, while Ryan Giggs sealed the most appearances in 2008.
Sir Bobby also won three titles and one FA Cup at Old Trafford as well as bagging 49 goals in 106 England matches which included the 1966 World Cup triumph over West Germany.
He was knighted for services to football in 1994.
Charlton was diagnosed with dementia which was confirmed in November 2020 — two days after Stiles died from the illness.
