How Stiles predicted the future

The World Cup winner who, two years later, returned to Wembley to win the 1968 European Cup final with his boyhood team, is well known for his tenacious work in midfield for club and country.

Yet it is also worth pointing out his influence when returning to coach with the Reds in the 1980s, including some prophetic words of support for Alex Ferguson, when the Scot was coming under increasing pressure.

Hiring Stiles and Brian Kidd to help reinvigorate the youth set-up at United remains one of Ferguson's many masterstrokes.

In 1989, Stiles came in with the brief to help find the next stars of the side and was influential in helping develop the Class of '92 and the talent that would go on to win the lot with the Reds.

Indeed David Beckham reacted to the sad news of Nobby's passing by saying: "I will be forever grateful for the support and passion he showed me and all the other youth-team players, when we were young kids.

"We were lucky enough to learn from many greats at Manchester United but Nobby was a World Cup winner, so it was extra special. Thank you for everything, Nobby, you will be forever in our memories as a United and England great but, more importantly, our coach."

Stiles certainly saw something in Sir Alex that reminded him of his long-time manager, Sir Matt Busby.

Around the three-year anniversary of Ferguson's appointment, the team was struggling and it was only the FA Cup triumph at the end of that 1989/90 season that went a long way to silencing the critics and building the foundation for the unprecedented success that would follow.

At a time when some were quick to doubt the boss, Stiles had this to say on the matter. "I've heard so much rot talked since I came back, five months ago," he said. "But the people doing the talking will be proved wrong, mark my words.

"Don't forget that, when Sir Matt was manager, we had bad times as well. I can remember being beat six or seven times at Old Trafford in my time but we went on to win everything there was.

"Sir Alex is like Sir Matt in the way he runs the club. He is getting the structures right and realises that we must get kids from our own system. That's where myself and Brian Kidd come in. We're looking after the 11 to 16-year-olds and, hopefully, the new Bests and Charltons will come out of what we are doing.

"I remember, when I was a 15-year-old here, I felt so privileged to clean the boots of such stars as Duncan Edwards and Liam Whelan. These guys were gods in my eyes. I looked up to Liam so much.

"Matt could be hard on us if we weren't doing our stuff but, like Ferguson, he was a gentleman behind it all.

"I think Ferguson will prove himself here because, despite what you hear or read, he has what it takes."

Nobby was clearly a great judge when it came to football and an exceptional player.