DAVID BECKHAM admitted he would never have played for Manchester United had it not been for Sir Bobby Charlton.
The United legend has sadly passed away aged 86 following a battle with dementia as the tributes have poured in.
Charlton – a 1966 England World Cup winner – is close to Beckham’s heart having been his dad Ted’s favourite player.
Becks is even named after the Man Utd legend – his middle name is Robert – as his dad confirmed on his Netflix documentary.
And the former Three Lions skipper could not speak more highly of his footballing hero.
He told the BBC: “Sir Bobby’s has always been about being successful in his career, but he’s even more about helping other people and helping others.
“And that’s what’s special about him as a person. He’s respected on the field and he’s respected even more so off the field.
“To look back all those years ago and to say Sir Bobby was one of the main reasons why I was able to join Manchester United.
“Because after being at his soccer school, he passed the world on to the club that maybe you should look out for me.
“I owe everything to Sir Bobby because if not, maybe I wouldn’t have had the chance of living my dream of playing for the club that I supported for so many years and the club that my dad supported, so me and my dad have a lot to thank Sir Bobby for.”
Beckham and Charlton were both league and European champions during their time at United.
And the club were quick to pay respect to the iconic player.
A statement read: “Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.”
Sir Bobby is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
He played in the Three Lions’ World Cup triumph in 1966 and went on to win Ballon d’Or later that year.
He also scored 249 goals in 758 games for Manchester United – helping them to their first ever European Cup win in 1968.
Despite playing as a midfielder, Sir Bobby netted a further 49 times in 106 games for England.
He spent almost all of his playing career at Man Utd and was renowned for his passes and long-range shots.
