Sir Bobby Charlton: England World Cup winner and Manchester United legend dies

Sir Bobby Charlton, the Manchester United legend who was a key figure in England's 1966 World Cup victory, has died at the age of 86.

Charlton won 106 caps for England and scored 49 international goals - records for his country at the time.

During a 17-year first-team career with United he won three league titles, a European Cup and an FA Cup.

Charlton's family said he "passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning".

Charlton is regarded as one of Manchester United's greatest ever players, scoring 249 goals in 758 appearances between 1956 and 1973. He won the European Cup with United in 1968, as well as three First Division titles.

The 1966 World Cup winner earned 106 caps for England, scoring 49 times, a goalscoring record which he held from 1970 to 2015.

Manchester United also paid their own tribute to Charlton

who they called

"one of the greatest and most beloved players in the club's history".

"Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world," a club statement read.

"He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.

"A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup.

"Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years. His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.

"The club's heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him."

Charlton's club career is most closely associated with Manchester United but he also played for and managed Preston North End.

They have hailed him as "a true legend of our game".

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