The Manchester Evening News has devoted an edition to ‘adored’ footballer Sir Bobby Charlton following his death aged 86.

‘Honorary Mancunian’ Sir Bobby won the World Cup with England in 1966 and the European Cup with Manchester United two years later.

He also scored 199 goals in 606 appearances for Manchester United between 1956 and 1973 and has been described as ‘the beating heart and soul’ of the Old Trafford club.

His death on Saturday prompted a tribute edition of the MEN on Sunday, which featured six pages of coverage at the front of the book and a special sport section.

In an obituary, MEN senior football writer Tyrone Marshall wrote: “It’s hard to think of another figure in the history of Manchester United that embodies the club in the way that the great Sir Bobby Charlton did.

“Charlton might have been a miner’s son born in Northumberland, but at Old Trafford he became an honorary Mancunian.

“It is with United he was most closely associated and he was adored by everyone during his long association with the club.

“His records of 758 games an 249 goals might have recently been surpassed, but Charlton is probably still considered United’s greatest-ever player and for years he was almost the beating heart of the soul of the football club.

“Into later life he remained omnipresent, watching from the directors’ box, and until recently he was still called on to offer advice and insight into football matters.

“Charlton is one of only nine players to have won the World Cup with his country, European Cup with his club and the Ballon d’Or for himself.

“He is a true great of the game. He achieved it all having survived the Munich Air Disaster at the age of 20, a dark day that left an indelible mark on his life.”