Sir Bobby Charlton was a LEGEND for Manchester United and England… but what sort of player was he? Mail Sport looks takes you through the clips that show just how good a player the hero of 1966 was
- Legendary footballer Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away at the age 86
- Charlton was at the centre of defining moments for England and Man United
- Follow Mail Sport’s live blog as tributes pour in from the football world for him
Because Sir Bobby Charlton retired in 1973, generations are alive today who weren’t there when he was in his prime.
The England great played 758 games for Manchester United and such was his legend that they had to lock the games an hour before his penultimate match for them. Thousands who wanted a glimpse couldn’t get in Stamford Bridge as so many fans were there.
Across a stellar career he won the 1966 World Cup with England, the European Cup in 1967-68, and three First Division titles. Not to mention a Ballon d’Or, for which he was also a runner-up twice.
And while it’s hard to fully appreciate the player he was without having seen him in the flesh, a dive into the YouTube clips shows his majesty.
Charlton was a talismanic midfielder who knew exactly where the net was. He scored 49 goals for England – a then-record – and 249 for United.
Sir Bobby Charlton was one of the greats of English football – and he scored all types of goals
With Manchester United, he lifted the European Cup and became the Ballon d’Or winner
In the 1966 World Cup semi-final against Portugal, he popped up with two critical strikes from the edge of the area. Right place, right time, all planned.
In the first half he anticipated a rebound off the goalkeeper to slot in, and after 80 minutes he doubled the lead as he ran onto Geoff Hurst’s lay-up. Both first-time shots.
United rebuilt their team around him after the Munich Air Disaster of 1958, and what a player he was for them. You could always count on him in a big moment.
Take the 1968 European Cup final, for example. A showdown with the mighty Benfica, two-time winners that decade, spearheaded by Eusebio.
Not so great with Sir Bobby around. Early in the second half, Charlton flicked on a header from around ten yards out and it went flying into the opposite corner. 1-0.
Then, in extra time, he came up with the goods once again, this time meeting a cross at the near post to smash it home.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=myG7PSY2auk%3Frel%3D0
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WMZ9EVFJRZk%3Frel%3D0
https://youtube.com/watch?v=FOwwG1Fi2v4%3Frel%3D0
https://youtube.com/watch?v=verILGdy1PI%3Frel%3D0
The thing with Charlton is that he could score every type of goal, and one of his staples was a blistering long-range strike. Take a trip down through the archives and you’ll see just how many times that he would drive through midfield, leaving opponents in his wake, and blast in a shot from range.
Even on the international stage, he didn’t shy away from the spectacular. His first England goal was a volley – somehow he found space in the area and blasted home at Hampden Park in a 4-0 rout.
And then there was that goal against Mexico. The stunning one. It came in the group stages after an opening draw, with England desperate to clock a victory.
In the first half, Charlton charged through midfield, feinted to the right, and blasted a shot from 25 yards out into the far top corner.
Whether it was timing a run perfectly to meet a square ball, getting on the end of a cross with a header, or sending fans into a frenzy with a blockbuster goal, Charlton could do it all.
Latest as Sir Bobby Charlton dies
- Sir Bobby Charlton dies aged 86: England and Manchester legend passes away after long battle with dementia
- Sir Bobby Charlton death: Touching tributes paid to England World Cup winner and Manchester United great
- Sir Bobby Charlton picture special
- OBITUARY: With the death of Sir Bobby Charlton, the last gentleman of our national sport has departed
- Sir Bobby Charlton dies LIVE BLOG: The world reacts to the death of the World Cup winner and former Man United star at the age of 86
- What football legends past and present said about the Sir Bobby Charlton
- How Bobby and Jack Charlton ended their painful feud of 42 years with a heartfelt hug after falling out over their mum Cissie – as real reason Bobby didn’t go to Jack’s funeral is revealed
- Sir Bobby Charlton’s death at the age of 86 leaves hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst as the SOLE surviving member of the England team that started the 1966 World Cup final
Source: Read Full Article
