Sir Bobby Charlton rebuilt Manchester United after Munich Air Disaster and helped Wayne Rooney understand the impact of 1958 tragedy

Sir Bobby Charlton’s career is a tale of fortitude in the face of disaster, as well as supreme, world-class talent.

talkSPORT is looking back at the life of the England and Manchester United icon, following his sad death at the age of 86.

The late, great legend will be remembered as one of the most important players in the history of English football, and after hanging up his boots Sir Bobby spent the rest of his life making sure the game’s current players knew about the tragedies and hardships of his generation.

Charlton helped rebuild Manchester United into a domestic and European powerhouse after the Munich Air Disaster, and was determined to ensure United’s modern superstars knew the impact of the February 1958 trauma and its place in the club's history.

Charlton was one of the survivors of the tragedy when an aircraft carrying the United team crashed on its way back from a European Cup tie in Belgrade.

The Munich Air Disaster claimed the lives of 23 people – including eight players and three members of the club’s staff.

Two more were so badly injured they never played again, but Sir Bobby — who was only 20 years old at the time — escaped the wreckage with only minor cuts to his head.

 “I knew we were heading off the runway and we hit a house and don’t remember anything until it was all over,” Charlton said about the accident. 

“I must have been out for about ten minutes, although it seemed as though I just closed my eyes. When I woke up I saw Harry Gregg and the fire engines and ambulances started to arrive.

“I consider myself most fortunate because not only was I alive, but there were no serious injuries.”

Goalkeeper Gregg was one of the men who helped pull people from the wreckage after the aircraft crashed following a