Legend who made United greats stop in their stride

Samuel Luckhurst pays tribute to a man who was a huge influence as a player and director of the Reds

- Samuel Luckhurst

FOR those of a generation who did not have the privilege of watching Sir Bobby Charlton caress a football, the most evocative images of him were in Barcelona and in Moscow.

Thirty-one years after Charlton solemnly lifted the European Cup at Wembley, he clasped his hands joyously at Camp Nou and was imbued with the enthusiasm of a child again. Charlton could be seen uttering two cherishable words: "Oh boy!"

Then, in 2008, a camera was fixed on Charlton as Nicolas Anelka skulked towards the penalty spot at the Luzhniki Stadium. Edwin van der Sar smacked his gloves together as though killing a fly, sized up the resigned Anelka, pointed to his left, Anelka went right and so did Van der Sar, a smile widening on his face before he palmed the ball away.

Charlton rose to his feet and jumped up and down. His wife, Lady Norma, sat with restraint whereas Charlton was that overgrown child again, one of the few individuals present for all three of United's European Cup triumphs.

The disgraced Uefa president Michel Platini suggested the ludicrous idea that a dignitary from each club lead the teams to collect their medals. The former United chief executive Peter Kenyon had the ignominy of leading the blubbing John Terry up the steps.

As he had done at Wembley 40 years earlier, Charlton sheepishly ascended the steps, pressed the flesh of Platini and moved to the side. Cristiano Ronaldo affectionately embraced Charl his demeanour more in keeping with his calm public image.