THE SIR BOBBY CHARLTON INTERVIEWS: MARCH 2009
In the 200th edition of Inside United magazine, published in March 2009, Sir Bobby Charlton recalled the best goals, games and players from his glittering career...
What are your earliest memories of Manchester United?
I listened to the 1948 FA Cup final on the radio when United played Blackpool. There was a lot of talk about the great Stanley Matthews, who played for Blackpool, because the only thing he'd never won was the FA Cup. Everybody wanted Blackpool to win so Stanley could get his winners' medal. I was 11 years old at the time and thought that was a bit unfair on the other team, so I felt a bit of sympathy towards United.
I listened to the 1948 FA Cup final on the radio when United played Blackpool. There was a lot of talk about the great Stanley Matthews, who played for Blackpool, because the only thing he'd never won was the FA Cup. Everybody wanted Blackpool to win so Stanley could get his winners' medal. I was 11 years old at the time and thought that was a bit unfair on the other team, so I felt a bit of sympathy towards United.
You came to United aged 15. Did you consider joining anyone else?
I had offers from lots of other clubs and, funnily enough, I could have played for City. Just before I joined United I played at Maine Road for East Northumberland Boys against Manchester Boys. They beat us 2-0, but I was approached by one of the City players afterwards, who asked me if I wanted to come and join City when I left school. By then I’d made my mind up that I wanted to play for United.
I had offers from lots of other clubs and, funnily enough, I could have played for City. Just before I joined United I played at Maine Road for East Northumberland Boys against Manchester Boys. They beat us 2-0, but I was approached by one of the City players afterwards, who asked me if I wanted to come and join City when I left school. By then I’d made my mind up that I wanted to play for United.
Do you have a favourite goal that you scored for United?
Not really. The ones I remember clearly are the important goals rather than the spectacular ones. For instance, I remember scoring a goal for the B team in the Manchester Amateur League semi-final. We were losing 2-1 at the time and I remember thinking it was the most important goal I’d scored in my life. There was another match in the Youth Cup where I scored an overhead kick, but it was the 11th goal in a 12-0 win, so it didn’t mean all that much.
Not really. The ones I remember clearly are the important goals rather than the spectacular ones. For instance, I remember scoring a goal for the B team in the Manchester Amateur League semi-final. We were losing 2-1 at the time and I remember thinking it was the most important goal I’d scored in my life. There was another match in the Youth Cup where I scored an overhead kick, but it was the 11th goal in a 12-0 win, so it didn’t mean all that much.
Who was your closest friend at the club?
I’ve had a few. Shay Brennan and I were very close. Usually you attached yourself to people who lived near you. In those days we stayed in digs and nobody had cars, so we’d live within walking distance from the ground. So I was close with Shay and also Nobby Stiles. They were great friends.
I’ve had a few. Shay Brennan and I were very close. Usually you attached yourself to people who lived near you. In those days we stayed in digs and nobody had cars, so we’d live within walking distance from the ground. So I was close with Shay and also Nobby Stiles. They were great friends.
Were there any teams you particularly enjoyed beating?
It was always important to beat City. It was a Manchester derby and the fans all wanted local bragging rights. Sometimes for those games you’d have 50,000 inside the ground an hour before kick-off! Wolverhampton Wanderers was the other team I enjoyed playing – they were a top side back in the 50s.
It was always important to beat City. It was a Manchester derby and the fans all wanted local bragging rights. Sometimes for those games you’d have 50,000 inside the ground an hour before kick-off! Wolverhampton Wanderers was the other team I enjoyed playing – they were a top side back in the 50s.
What do your regard as your best performance in a United shirt?
Sometimes you’d come off the pitch and feel as if you’d just put in the kind of performance you were aiming for. I remember feeling that way after we beat Leicester City 3-1 in the 1963 FA Cup final. I didn’t score in that match but I just felt full of running and everything seemed to come together for me.
Sometimes you’d come off the pitch and feel as if you’d just put in the kind of performance you were aiming for. I remember feeling that way after we beat Leicester City 3-1 in the 1963 FA Cup final. I didn’t score in that match but I just felt full of running and everything seemed to come together for me.
Who were the best players you played with?
When Denis Law and George Best were on song it was magical. Duncan Edwards had the most fantastic talent and who knows what he might have achieved. But to see Best and Law at the peak of their powers was a real privilege. They were the sorts of players who could change games.
When Denis Law and George Best were on song it was magical. Duncan Edwards had the most fantastic talent and who knows what he might have achieved. But to see Best and Law at the peak of their powers was a real privilege. They were the sorts of players who could change games.
And the toughest opponent?
In the English league it was Dave Mackay. He played for Spurs and Derby County and he was a very tough character. He’d talk to you throughout the game in an effort to wind you up, so you had to be careful not to take the bait. Outside England, I played in games against Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas and they were phenomenal. One of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen was from Di Stefano when United played in Madrid in 1957. He influenced the whole game and I learned a lot that day.
In the English league it was Dave Mackay. He played for Spurs and Derby County and he was a very tough character. He’d talk to you throughout the game in an effort to wind you up, so you had to be careful not to take the bait. Outside England, I played in games against Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas and they were phenomenal. One of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen was from Di Stefano when United played in Madrid in 1957. He influenced the whole game and I learned a lot that day.
Is there one memory that stands out from your time at United?
When we won the league we were so happy and then when we won the European Cup we thought it couldn’t get any better. Then again, I remember scoring two goals at Wembley as a 15-year-old and thinking nothing in life could ever get close to that feeling. I was lucky to experience a lot of highs in my career, but I guess the European Cup in 1968 would have to be top.
When we won the league we were so happy and then when we won the European Cup we thought it couldn’t get any better. Then again, I remember scoring two goals at Wembley as a 15-year-old and thinking nothing in life could ever get close to that feeling. I was lucky to experience a lot of highs in my career, but I guess the European Cup in 1968 would have to be top.
Which modern player do you wish you could have played alongside?
Roy Keane, without a shadow of a doubt. When you talk about players who can influence matches Roy is right up there with the best of them. He led by example and was a real talisman. If Roy played well, the team inevitably won. I’d also love to have played in the centre of midfield with the Neville brothers, Beckham, Scholes, Giggs and Butt. And Eric Cantona, of course. You’d always be confident walking onto the pitch if Eric was in your team.
Roy Keane, without a shadow of a doubt. When you talk about players who can influence matches Roy is right up there with the best of them. He led by example and was a real talisman. If Roy played well, the team inevitably won. I’d also love to have played in the centre of midfield with the Neville brothers, Beckham, Scholes, Giggs and Butt. And Eric Cantona, of course. You’d always be confident walking onto the pitch if Eric was in your team.
Finally, which was better: Barcelona or Moscow?
Barcelona was the best because we came from behind in such dramatic circumstances. When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the winner in injury time I remember thinking this was as close to paradise as I’d ever get. It was just marvellous. Moscow was great, too. It was sheeting down with rain and I got absolutely soaked, but I didn’t even notice it. It was a magical night.
Barcelona was the best because we came from behind in such dramatic circumstances. When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the winner in injury time I remember thinking this was as close to paradise as I’d ever get. It was just marvellous. Moscow was great, too. It was sheeting down with rain and I got absolutely soaked, but I didn’t even notice it. It was a magical night.
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