In the history of Manchester United, few players have been more important to the club than Sir Bobby Charlton.The 1966 World Cup winner was the club's record goal scorer before Wayne Rooney and is still a highly-respected ambassador for the Red Devils.He barely ever misses a game at Old Trafford and was a big influence on Sir Alex Ferguson, the man who made the club the most successful in the history if English football.

HE HAD FERGIE'S BACK

“At United, especially in the early years, I found it very assuring to know that Bobby was on my side," Fergie said, per Mirror.

“I never went out of my way to curry favour with him, but he had originally helped advise the board to sign me as a manager and I always felt he was in my corner.

“During bleak times he often said: ‘You’ll be all right. You’re doing the right thing.’

“In the months following our 5-1 to Manchester City in September 1989 I was feeling a mite vulnerable and Bobby’s backing - particularly during this period - counted for a lot.

“Not only did his opinion carry a lot of weight through the club, but a few well-chosen words lifted my spirits too. Every leader needs an ally like that.”

Without Charlton, the legendary Scot's reign in Manchester could have ended prematurely.

And, it seems his influence does not end with the manager, with United heroes Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville explaining how he also used to galvanise the players.

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Neville explains that all the players used to quit fooling around when he entered the dressing room, something which is no doubt pretty rare in professional football.

Giggsy also remarks on how the players used to hang on his every word, clearly realising that his advice was some of the best you're going to get.

Jose Mourinho's men could probably do with a little pep talk from Charlton ahead of their match against bitter rivals Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils are in fine form but have a number of injury concerns, including the in-form Marouane Fellaini, who picked up a knock while on International duty with Belgium.

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