Sir Geoff Hurst and Gary Neville lead touching tributes to Sir Bobby Charlton as the England World Cup winner and Manchester United great passes away aged 86

Sir Geoff Hurst and Gary Neville have paid moving tributes to Manchester United and England’s all-time great Sir Bobby Charlton following his tragic death at the age of 86.

Hurst, 81, who is now the only living person from the 1966 World Cup winning team, wrote on X: ‘Very sad news today, one of the true greats Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away.

‘We will never forget him, and that also applies to all of football. A great colleague and friend, he will be greatly missed across the country, beyond just the sport. Condolences to his family and friends of Geoff and Judith.’

Former Manchester United player Gary Neville also wrote on social media: ‘I’m so sorry to hear the news from Sir Bobby Charlton.

‘The greatest English footballer and the greatest ambassador of Manchester United. A champion on and off the pitch and a Busby Babe who paved the way for all who would come to United. Rest in peace, Mr. Bobby.”

Sir Geoff Hurst, pictured right, has led a tribute in honor of England legend Sir Bobby Charlton

Tributes have been paid to Manchester United and England great Sir Bobby Charlton

Charlton won the World Cup with the Three Lions in 1966 (photo: Charlton with the trophy)

Hurst, 81, wrote on social media: ‘We will never forget him, and neither will all of football’

Paying tribute to the football legend, Man United’s Twitter account wrote: ‘Manchester United is in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most loved players in our club’s history.

‘Sir Bobby was a hero to millions of people, not just in Manchester or Britain, but everywhere in the world where football is played.

‘He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as 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, winning the 1966 World Cup.

‘After his retirement he served the club with distinction as director for 39 years. His unparalleled record of performance, character and service will forever be 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 sincere condolences go out to his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.”

The legendary footballer played for United for 17 years and scored 249 goals in 758 games

Widely regarded as the Three Lions’ best ever footballer, Charlton won 106 caps and was a crucial part of the 1966 World Cup-winning team.

In his club career he won three league titles, a European Cup and the FA Cup and spent seventeen brilliant years at United, where he remained on the board as a director.

A legendary United ambassador, Charlton scored 249 goals in 758 games. Despite being a midfielder, his goalscoring records for club and country stood for decades.

Unfortunately, in 2020, at the age of 83, he was diagnosed with dementia.

Charlton is survived by his admiring wife, Lady Norma, and their two children.

His brother Jack, also a World Cup winner and former Republic of Ireland manager, died in 2020 at the age of 85. He had also been diagnosed with dementia.

In 1958, Charlton survived the Munich air disaster, an incident in which 23 people died.

Ten years later he captained United when they won the European Cup. His two goals against Benfica made United the first English team to win the competition.

Old Trafford’s South Stand was renamed the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand in 2020.

A stand at Old Trafford, United’s home ground, was named after Charlton in 2016

Charlton (third from left) wins the European Cup in 1968, the first time an English team has won the trophy

Charlton (right) standing next to his brother Jack on Elland Road, Leeds, in 1985

Charlton is survived by his adoring wife Lady Norma (right) and their two children

Charlton is an iconic figurehead of United and is still revered by the club’s supporters to this day