{"id":114716,"date":"2023-10-30T11:27:13","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T11:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/10\/30\/manchester-united-and-england-great-was-tower-of-strength-says-sir-alex-ferguson\/"},"modified":"2023-10-30T11:27:13","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T11:27:13","slug":"manchester-united-and-england-great-was-tower-of-strength-says-sir-alex-ferguson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/10\/30\/manchester-united-and-england-great-was-tower-of-strength-says-sir-alex-ferguson\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United and England great was ‘tower of strength’, says Sir Alex Ferguson"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/div>\n

Sir Alex Ferguson described Sir Bobby Charlton as a \u201ctower of strength\u201d in a tribute to the England and Manchester United legend.<\/p>\n

Charlton, a key figure in England\u2019s 1966 World Cup victory,\u00a0died at the age of 86\u00a0earlier this month.<\/p>\n

Those at Old Trafford for the Manchester derby on Sunday paid tribute to Charlton with a moment of applause.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Former United manager Ferguson said Charlton was \u201cthe greatest English player of all time\u201d.<\/p>\n

After his playing career, Charlton served as a director and ambassador for Manchester United and remained a prominent figure throughout Ferguson\u2019s trophy-filled 26-year reign as manager, which began in 1986.<\/p>\n

In a eulogy in the matchday programme for Sunday\u2019s derby, Ferguson reflected on his \u201cpersonal connection\u201d with Charlton.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe directors came to meet me in Glasgow and asked what my vision was for the job. I said I would take the same approach I had at Aberdeen, by looking to build up the whole club, not just the team, and that I would do that by developing young players,\u201d Ferguson wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I was explaining this, I saw Bobby nudge one of the other directors and he said, \u2018that\u2019s what we want\u2019. He\u2019d made his mind up. From that moment on he was a tower of strength for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Fans
Manchester United fans paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton with a banner before the Manchester derby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Charlton won 106 caps for England and scored 49 international goals \u2013 both records for his country at the time.<\/p>\n

During a 17-year first-team career with United he won three league titles, a European Cup and an FA Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople loved him because of all those thunderbolt goals, but it was more than that,\u201d Ferguson added.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dad used to say that humility in success is a sign of greatness, and that was Bobby.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe never used to boast about his own achievements \u2013 it was always about the team and the club.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlton\u2019s death came soon after Ferguson\u2019s wife, Lady Cathy,\u00a0died aged 84.<\/p>\n

Ferguson said: \u201cI am so sorry for Lady Norma [Charlton], who was always by Bobby\u2019s side, especially as his health declined, and my thoughts have been with the whole family these past few days.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, I have also suffered the painful loss of my beloved wife, Cathy, this month, and I want to thank the club, the fans and everyone who has sent me their condolences.\u201d<\/p>\n

A tribute was laid in the centre circle on the pitch at Old Trafford before kick-off on Sunday, reading \u2018Sir Bobby Charlton \u2013 forever loved\u2019.<\/p>\n

Former team-mates and City opponents of Charlton joined the players on the pitch as a poignant moment of applause was held.<\/p>\n

Supporters also held up tributes in the stands, with one describing Charlton as \u2018the finest English footballer the world has ever seen\u2019.<\/p>\n

\"Fans
Fans held up cards to create a mural in remembrance of Sir Bobby Charlton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
A tribute was laid in the centre circle on the pitch and the players gathered for a moment\u2019s applause before the Manchester derby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Former
Former team-mates and opponents of Sir Bobby Charlton \u2013 John Aston Jr, Tony Book, Paddy Crerand, Alex Stepney, Brian Kidd and Mike Summerbee \u2013 joined the tribute<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Balloons
Fans left balloons, flowers and scarves outside Old Trafford before Sunday\u2019s derby in tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n