Thousands of people gathered to remember Bobby Charlton in a competition that he made more valuable.

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Bobby Charlton’s legacy will always be tied to the European Cup. This tournament marked two of his most memorable moments as a Manchester United player, and Copenhagen’s visit to Old Trafford provided the ideal opportunity to honor this legendary figure.

Charlton survived the plane crash in Munich on the way back from a match against Red Star Belgrade in 1958 and a decade later he scored in the 4-1 final triumph over Benfica. Overcoming adversity was key but did not define his life – his medals and humility did that.

There was never any doubt the minute’s silence would be impeccably observed by all inside Old Trafford, many in the stand named after their late hero. The roar once the referee’s whistle had blown a reminder of what a European night means to United, thanks to Charlton making the club synonymous with the competition.

“He declared that there will never be anything greater than this,” he spoke of witnessing United’s comeback in the last moments of the 1999 final against Bayern Munich. He also led the team up the stairs to claim the trophy in Moscow in 2008, continuing his streak of witnessing every European Cup victory for Manchester United.

A must-win group game against Copenhagen might not have quite the same gravitas but when the Old Trafford lights shine, there will always be a sense of expectation from what has gone before even if the current crop cannot match them.

Charlton was the one who gave Old Trafford the nickname “the Theatre of Dreams”. He scored countless goals in this stadium, leaving a lasting impression on thousands of fans who can still imagine his powerful shots flying past the goalkeeper when they close their eyes. Whether they saw him play or not, fans of Manchester United from all eras are familiar with Charlton’s impact on the field.

Denis Law and George Best are standing next to Charlton outside the stadium, surrounded by a multitude of scarves, flowers, and shirts left by grieving fans. There have been few trios that have been able to match the impact they had on United, and the current team will have to significantly improve to step out of their shadow.

This competition marked Wayne Rooney’s first appearance with Manchester United and marked the start of his pursuit to break Charlton’s club record for most goals scored. He achieved this by scoring a hat-trick against Fenerbahce. Charlton and the Busby Babes have set a high standard for the European Cup and will forever be a point of reference.

Charlton’s former teammates Alex Stepney, Brian Kidd and Paddy Crerand were in attendance, adding their names to the 15,000 others who have left a message in the book of condolence at the ground. Stepney accompanied Erik ten Hag, youth team captain Dan Gore and a piper playing “Man United will never die” to lay a wreath in the centre circle.

Being a part of the ceremony held great significance for United, representing their history, current state, and future. Gore, the 247th graduate of the academy, will always cherish this occasion and carry the impact of Charlton into the future generation.

The crowd in the stadium closely observed as they made their way from the tunnel to the field. Chants of “One Bobby Charlton” started 10 minutes before the game began and continued after the moment of silence. Everyone wanted to show their admiration for a modest man who was loved by the football community, regardless of whether they had personally known Charlton or not. There was no need to quiet any stragglers as the bagpipes played the words that echoed throughout the stadium: “United will always live on.”

Coming to the event early provided spectators with the opportunity to reflect on the past. Grandparents took the time to educate their grandchildren about the influence Charlton had on them and why he was highly regarded, and fans shared stories of their personal encounters with their beloved hero.

The players’ anxiety to pay tribute to his memory during the game had a negative impact, causing them to appear nervous in the beginning. The pressure was later lifted when Harry Maguire scored a goal with a header, but the real excitement came during injury time when André Onana saved Jacob Larsson’s penalty. This was undoubtedly a highlight for the United goalkeeper.

As a person who climbed the ladder, Charlton always found joy in witnessing others do the same. Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay were chosen to uphold this tradition and demonstrate that the process of succession is still in motion.

There are very few unoccupied seats at Old Trafford. The only one that was empty was in the directors’ box, where a wreath was laid in honor of Charlton. Similar to the tribute on the field, the message was straightforward yet meaningful: “Loved, cherished, always remembered.” The tributes, just like the man himself, were modest yet powerful.

Conversations since Charlton’s passing have focused on how he can motivate the team in their upcoming matches against Sheffield United and Copenhagen. The presence of reminders of Charlton, such as his statue and stand, around Old Trafford will serve as a constant reminder of his legacy. While he was honored on Tuesday, his impact will continue to inspire.

Source: theguardian.com