deal rated 'Robbo' at a then-record £1.5 million.

Some doubted Atkinson's wisdom, but Robson was destined to become one of the game's midfield greats. He quickly grew in stature, replacing Ray Wilkins as club captain, a player with whom he enjoyed such a fine understanding and one who helped develop Bryan's already mature reading of the game.

A supreme motivational force, Robson in his prime was a shining diamond, blessed with a seemingly endless supply of stamina, great creative passing skills in attack or defence, controlled aggression in the tackle, plus the added bonus of genuine pace and powerful shooting and heading

ability.

Robson scored well over a century of league goals in his career – many from steaming late blind side runs into the area. But perhaps above all, he was an inspiring captain for both club and country, uniquely leading United to a hat-trick of FA Cup wins in 1983,1985 and 1990. In the 1983 final against Brighton and Hove Albion he scored twice in the 4-0 replay victory.

He was a League Cup finalist in 1991 and collected a prized European medal when he lifted the Cup Winners' Cup in the same season.

Robson won 90 caps for England, wearing the Three Lions in three World Cups. His 26 international goals