Charlton leads funeral tributes

Scanlon, 74, who died last month, was in the squad alongside Charlton. They both survived the 1958 Munich air disaster which tore the heart out of Sir Matt Busby's young Manchester United team.

Yesterday, Charlton joined other Munich survivors Harry Gregg and Bill Foulkes, along with fellow United greats Denis Law and Nobby Stiles, to pay their last respects to Scanlon.

Scanlon's extended family were joined by around 300 mourners for the funeral service at All Souls Church in Weaste, Salford.

Charlton said the good wishes from everyone at Manchester United went to the family.

He said when he first came to the club Manchester-born Scanlon befriended him, showed him around the area and took him to his own home for a meal. "He was so kind and generous," he added.

On the pitch Charlton was number 11 and Scanlon number 10 playing on the wing, he said.

"He had a gift, he had blistering pace. He was sensational when he was on song."

Charlton added: "Albert was, without question, a Busby Babe through and through."

Earlier, Scanlon's funeral cortege paused underneath the famous Munich memorial at Old Trafford.