Manchester has demonstrated once again that it is a city united in honour of Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who helped put it firmly on the global map.
Among the thousands of people from across Manchester who have paid their respects this week and signed the book of condolences have been City manager Pep Guardiola, legend Mike Summerbee OBE and Mayor of the Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
In a show of respect and solidarity ahead of Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford, all three praised the impact Sir Bobby, who sadly passed away at the age of 86 last Saturday, had on not just football but also the image of the city.
“What represents us is Mike Summerbee going to Old Trafford to sign the book on behalf of Man City,”
said Guardiola in his press conference.
“We have a huge respect for Manchester United and we prove it, losing and winning these years. We have a lot of respect and especially the icon, the figure of Sir Bobby Charlton. We will be part of the condolences for the family, Manchester United and English football. We will be there.”
When he joined the thousands who have visited Old Trafford this week, Andy Burnham said: “Sir Bobby was a peerless footballer but also a true gentleman. It is quite rare that you see that combination of the greatest ability and utmost humility. But that was Sir Bobby.
Watch: Mayor of the Greater Manchester Authority, Andy Burnham, pays tribute to Sir Bobby.
“As I go around the world people often want to talk to me about Manchester United and they mention the name of Sir Bobby Charlton and they do it with the greatest of reverence and respect. Sir Bobby commanded that in people for who he was – he represented the ideal image of the English footballer.
“I laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Greater Manchester, and I was pleased to see City shirts, Liverpool shirts and Everton shirts as well – I remember my father coming here as an Everton fan to pay his respects after Munich.
“Sir Bobby represented everything this club is about – a fightback from adversity, going on to lift the World Cup and then bringing the greatest honour to this football club two years later. He really did win the lot – dragging the club and the country with him. He was that type of player.
“I hear the affection when people across Greater Manchester speak about him because Sir Bobby did so much for so many people and so many organisations – that warmth was very real. I think that he will be remembered as the greatest – not just now but for generations to come.”
“Sir Bobby was a very special footballer and a very special person, I felt very fortunate to play with him for England and know him.”
“It is not often you get a great footballer who is as humble as Sir Bobby was, he was the complete professional footballer.
“Wherever you go in the world Sir Bobby is known and loved, he will be missed greatly.”
United and the Charlton family have also received messages of condolences from a wide range of football figures including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, Debbie Hewitt, the FA Chair and Richard Masters, the Premier League Chief Executive.
Our online book of condolence has received over 60,000 messages from over 200 countries around the world.