LOVED, ADORED NEVER FORGOTTEN

FANS AND FRIENDS GATHER AT OLD TRAFFORD FOR ICON DUBBED 'MR MANCHESTER UNITED'

- CHRIS SLATER

ON A match night, the forecourt outside Old Trafford's East Stand would normally be a cauldron of noise and a hive of activity.

Yet last night, despite United playing in a crunch Champions League match, there was an almost eerie quiet around the famous Trinity Statue.

The sculpture, which honours the club's three heroes of the 1960s - Denis Law, George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton - has now become a shrine to Sir Bobby after his passing on Saturday, aged 86.

An ever-growing sea of flowers, wreaths, scarves and shirts surrounds it as the outpouring love and admiration for the United and England icon continues.

Last night's match against FC Copenhagen, in the competition Sir Bobby famously won for United in 1968, was the Reds' first home game since news of his death was announced.

Before the game, a wreath was laid in his seat by the club's CEO, Richard Arnold. The message on it read: "Loved, Adored, Never Forgotten. Thank you, the Manchester United family."

Scores of the capacity 75,000-plus crowd quietly made their way round to East Stand, which has been decorated to read 'Sir Bobby Charlton. Forever Loved' between pictures of him in his playing days and latter years.

Some were in tears and visibly moved as they paid their respects.

One of those was Diane Irving, 62, from North Wales. She said: "It's a huge loss for Manchester United. Not just for this club but for football overall.