Bobby Charlton, the Manchester United player who won the World Cup with England and went on to become a much-loved and hugely respected ambassador for club and country, died on Saturday, aged 86. His death was announced by Manchester United in a statement.

Charlton known for his powerful shooting and distinctive hairstyle won three league titles, the European Cup and an FA Cup during a 20-year career with Manchester United. He was also an integral part of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup.

Dignified, unassuming and regarded as United’s greatest-ever servant, Charlton appeared 758 times for the club, scoring 249 goals.

“Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton,
one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club,” the club said in a statement.

Born on October 11, 1937, in Ashington, Northumberland, Charlton joined United as a schoolboy in 1953 and was a star of the team that won the FA Youth Cup three times in a row between 1954 and 1956.

In February 1958, Charlton scored twice in a 3-3 draw at Red Star Belgrade in the European Cup quarter-final.

On the way home, United’s plane crashed at a snowy Munich airport, killing 23 people, including eight teammates.

Charlton survived with minor injuries but the tragedy that devastated the team known as the Busby Babes, forced him to mature quickly and he soon became a central figure in the squad rebuilt by coach Matt Busby.

“Having survived the trauma of the Munich Air Disaster when aged just 20, he played as if every game was for his fallen colleagues, recovering from his injuries to reach the pinnacle for both club and country,” the United website said.