United career:
759 appearances (most appearances ever made for United), 249 goals (highest ever goalscorer for United)

Charlton signed for United when he was 15 years old, turning professional just as he became 17 in 1954. Charlton was a part of the Busby Babes, the team that should have dominated English football for the next 10 years or more. He made his debut in 1956, whilst undertaking his National Service in Shrewsbury, alongside team mate Duncan Edwards. He won the FA Youth Cup with United in 1954, 1955 and 1956.

United won the league in Charlton’s first season with the first team, but were robbed of the Double, after Villa’s Peter McParland followed through, minutes into the game, on United keeper, Ray Wood, breaking his cheek bone and leaving him concussed. These were before the days of substitutions, so Jackie Blanchflower, our centre-half, filled in between the sticks. United lost 2-1, but they, and Charlton, would share a great deal of glory in the coming years.

First though, they were to endure great tragedy, as the Munich Air Disaster ripped the heart out of the team by claiming the lives of so many young players. Having reached the semi-finals of the European Cup the season before, and as the first English team to succeed so significantly in the competition, United were looking to win the trophy in 1958. United played away in Yugoslavia against Red Star Belgrade, Sir Bobby scoring two goals in a 3-3 draw, taking United again to the semi-finals by virtue of a 5-4 aggregate win.

With an important game against Wolves to look forward to at the weekend, the Busby Babes boarded their flight home, with the visions of a Treble awaiting them come the end of the season. As we all know, that flight never landed back home. Charlton, who was just 20 years old, and feeling uneasy with the two aborted take-offs preceding the fatal attempt, swapped places with Tommy Taylor (a true great in the making).

It was this move which spared Charlton’s life, at the expense of Taylor’s, but it wasn’t plain sailing. Harry Gregg, then the most expensive keeper in the World at £23,000from Doncaster Rovers, saved Charlton by dragging him by the trouser waistband from the plane, despite feeling he was too late and that Charlton was actually dead. Gregg also single-handedly saved the lives of Sir Matt Busby, Dennis Violet, and Jackie Blanchflower by dragging them from the burning wreckage.

Charlton was treated in hospital for cuts to the head and severe shock, but skipper Roger Byrne, and team mates Tommy Taylor, David Pegg, Mark Jones, Billy Whelan, Eddie Colman and Geoff Bent were all confirmed dead at the scene. Duncan Edwards died two weeks later and Sir Matt Busby was inches away from death on several occasions, and was read his last rites twice.

Charlton had played in a team full of such promise and hope, and it all fell apart on that fateful day in Munich. With the loss of nine players, United went on to lose to AC Milan in the semi-finals of the European Cup, fell away in the league, and lost to Bolton in the FA Cup Final.

As the years rolled by, Charlton established himself as a great attacking player and goalscorer for both club and country. Finally, in 1963, Charlton picked up an FA Cup winners medal, and two years later, Sir Matt’s work was starting to pay off, with the league title coming back to Manchester.

The World Cup followed a year later, with Charlton shining in the run up to the final. He scored England’s first goal of the tournament against Mexico, a completely self made goal, which started with Charlton picking up the ball in his own half, and ended with a beautiful strike in to the top corner.

England then went on to beat France, then Argentina, and faced Portugal in the semi-final. Charlton scored both goals in England’s 2-1 victory, the second of which came in the form of another scorcher.

The rest, as they say, is history, with England going on to win the World Cup, something which moved Charlton to tears, and lots of them! The following year, United won the league again, their second in three years, pipping Nottingham Forest to the post.

Charlton was a United and England hero and had been the cornerstone to Sir Matt’s rebuilding of the squad. As captain, in 1968, he lead United through their European Cup campaign,  in which no other English team had yet made their mark. Ten years had past since that dreadful day in February, 1958, when Manchester mourned not only the lives of our lost players, but the lost potential. Charlton was just a lad back then, and now he was a man, eager to add the final trophy to his collection of honours.

United beat Benfica in the European Cup Final, oddly enough at Wembley, the game finishing 1-1 on 90 minutes after Charlton had scored in the 53rd minute. Three minutes in to extra time, George Best made it 2-1 and Brian Kidd made 3-1 a minute later. A further five minutes saw Charlton score his second of the game, and the final goal of the game. United were crowned Champions of Europe.

Charlton has now been associated with the club for over half a century, working as an ambassador for football in his role as director for United. As great teams have come and gone, domestically and internationally, Charlton’s still shine brighter than any.

Ryan Giggs has just over 30 games to go before he equals Charlton’s appearances record, and with a new deal in the pipelines, barring injury, Giggs is set to do just that. Last month, Charlton spoke out about this possibility, and sounded like a true fan, rather than a man whose glorious record was about to be smashed. "I would love it if Ryan got the record," he said. "It would be so fitting and I would be pleased to have the opportunity to go on to the pitch and present him with something. In fact, if they didn't ask me, I would pester them until they did.

"When I finished, I could not believe anyone would play more games than that. I did so much running, for so many years, I just didn't think it would be possible. But Ryan is almost there now. To physically put your body through what he has is very difficult and that is why I am so delighted for him," he added.

Although Giggs is still short of Charlton’s goals (141 compared with Charrlton's 249) and appearances, he has lifted more league titles than any player in the history of English football, and as Charlton said, it would be extremely fitting for him to be the man to push the barrier higher.

United have been blessed to have such dedicated and committed players over the years, and whilst 33 years have past since Charlton set the standard, it seems almost impossible for another player to achieve such a record with a club as big and successful as United.

However, it’s not just Charlton’s United record at stake this season, but also his England record too. With Michael Owen recently returning from his latest spell of injury, he is only 10 goals short of becoming the highest scoring player ever for England. Despite his constant injury worry, he is only 27, and Charlton believes it won’t be long until that record is beaten too.

"Michael is certain to beat my record as long as he keeps fit and does not get any more injuries," he said. "That would please me immensely because he is a great little player. I admire anyone that has bounced back from a career-threatening injury like Michael has. I never had a serious injury, but it must have been lousy for him - so I'm really delighted for him now.”

That is what is so special about Charlton, his desire to see his club and country succeed. In the day of the modern footballer, wrapped up in his own success and praise, his own goals and records, his own glory and adoration, Sir Bobby is a true devotee of the game and the team.

His records arelikely to be beaten this season, and whilst it will be sad, it has to be said they will go to two worthy winners. However, the sheer length of time it’s taken for any player to get anywhere near his achievements proves what a great he is.

So here’s to Bobby Charlton, the legend. Thirty four years and counting…