Fans lay down flowers, shirts and scarves next to Sir Bobby Charlton’s Old Trafford statue as they honour Man Utd icon

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are flooding to Old Trafford to pay their respects to Sir Bobby Charlton.

The 86-year-old passed away yesterday following a brave battle with dementia.

AFPFans paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton outside Old Trafford[/caption]

ReutersFans laid flowers and scarfs by his statue[/caption]

PASir Bobby passed away aged 86 yesterday[/caption]

PAHe is a Man Utd and England hero[/caption]

Charlton passed after a battle with dementiaPA

Charlton was one of the greatest ever players to feature for Manchester United and England.

Many fans made the trip to Old Trafford this morning to say farewell to their hero.

A book of condolence has been opened at the stadium and a digital version has also been created.

Meanwhile, fans laid flowers, scarfs and shirts by the “United Trinity” statue that depicts him, George Best and Denis Law.

Shirts with Charlton‘s name on the back with messages written on them were also placed on the floor by mourning supporters.

Sir Bobby scored 249 goals in 758 games for Man Utd.

He has legendary status, having played a key role in rebuilding the club after eight of his team-mates passed away in the Munich Air Disaster in 1958.

Charlton survived the crash and fired United to a European Cup win ten years later.

The midfielder was also a Three Lions icon, having been part of the team that won the 1966 World Cup.

Sir Bobby went on to lift the Ballon d’Or after the triumph as he was crowned the best player in the world.

He netted 49 times in 106 games for England with only Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane above him in the all-time scoring charts.

United put out a touching tribute to Sir Bobby yesterday, which read: “He was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.”

Marcus Rashford, Prince William and Sir Geoff Hurst are among those to pen emotional tributes to the legend.

PAA scarf was wrapped around the statue of Charlton[/caption]

AFPThe ‘United Trilogy’ statue was covered with tributes[/caption]

PACharlton has a stand names after him at Old Trafford[/caption]

PASupporters penned emotion-filled message to him and his family[/caption]

EPAA book of condolence has been opened at Old Trafford[/caption]