Manchester United beat Sheffield United 2-1 on Saturday on an emotionally charged evening as the Premier League giants said a “big goodbye” to club great Bobby Charlton, who died earlier in the day.
Charlton’s family announced that the England World Cup winner, who enjoyed a glittering career with United, had “passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning” at the age of 86.
Tributes poured in from across the football world, with former United player and England captain David Beckham praising Charlton as a “national hero”.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Manchester City beat Brighton 2-1 to return to the Premier League summit and Arsenal came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Chelsea.
Manchester United’s players paid a moving tribute to Charlton before kick-off against bottom club Sheffield United in the late game at Bramall Lane.
Captain Bruno Fernandes laid a wreath and a picture of the former attacking midfielder was displayed on a giant screen, while the fans chanted Charlton’s name during the match.
United manager Erik ten Hag praised the fans for their tribute.
“It was fantastic,” he told Sky Sports. “We have to pay our contribution, pay our big goodbye, remembering Bobby Charlton because what he did was magnificent.
“He was outstanding on the pitch and off it. We wanted to remember Sir Bobby and I think we did it in a decent way.”
The sluggish visitors went ahead against the run of play in the 28th minute when Scott McTominay controlled the ball on his chest and found the bottom corner from 12 yards out.
But the lead lasted just six minutes as Oli McBurnie scored from the penalty spot after McTominay handled James McAtee’s cross.
Ten Hag made three changes shortly after the hour mark, bringing on Anthony Martial, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen in a desperate search for a winner.
But it was defender Diogo Dalot who produced the moment of magic to win the game in the 77th minute with a fine strike from long range to lift United to eighth in the table. (AFP)
