‘A true gentleman’ - Rio Ferdinand pays tribute to Manchester United icon Sir Bobby Charlton

Rio Ferdinand is expecting an “electric” Old Trafford to pay a fitting tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton when Manchester United play FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The club’s former defender and TNT Sports pundit has described the England World Cup winner, who died aged 86 on Saturday, as a “true gentleman” who was always “100% committed to the Manchester United cause”.

Sir Bobby won three league titles, the European Cup and the FA Cup during a two-decade career at United. He scored 49 goals for his country - a former England record - and was inspirational in helping Sir Alf Ramsey’s side win the 1966 World Cup.

He was also a survivor of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster which killed 23 people, including eight of his team-mates.

Befitting his legendary status, there is a stand named after Sir Bobby at Old Trafford. Tuesday will be United’s first home match since he died, and Ferdinand says fans will pack the stadium to pay their respects.

“Manchester United held Sir Bobby in such high esteem,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports.

“All the fans young and old, when you talk about the club to a young person I’m sure he’s one of the names which rolls off [the tongue] when you’re talking about the history.

“He’s been there at so many of the club’s momentous moments, good and bad, tragic and great. The atmosphere in the stadium will be electric for all the right reasons, celebrating someone so dear to the football club.”

Ferdinand, who won multiple trophies at United, says Sir Bobby’s influence at the club was huge.

“He was someone who was always committed to the Manchester United cause, was always there supporting, always there as a calming voice and influence around the place,” he said.

“Speaking to him after the Champions League final in Moscow (in 2008), it really hit home the importance of winning such a trophy, the magnitude of what you’re doing and the importance of captaining the team.

“He was a true gentleman, a privilege to be around someone who’s done so much in the game but remained so humble”.

A minute’s silence will be held before the game on Tuesday night.

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