Paul Scholes reveals Sir Bobby Charlton, aged 61, trained with Manchester United players ahead of their Champions League game against Barcelona in 1999

Former Manchester United favorite Paul Scholes has suggested Sir Bobby Charlton “symbolized the football club” after his death aged 86 on Saturday.

Scholes, who gave a speech before United paid tribute to Sir Bobby ahead of their Champions League game against FC Copenhagen, remembered the 1966 World Cup winner as a regular player at Old Trafford.

Two-time Champions League winner Scholes even revealed that the club legend took part in a training session before a Champions League game against Barcelona.

He continued saying TNT Sports: “The night before we played at the Nou Camp he actually took part in training with us.” I think someone said he was 61 years old. When you look back, you realize how lucky you were to be with a man like that.

“Growing up in this football club you’re taught to have class whether you win or lose and that was Sir Bobby Charlton. “If you see him in the dressing room he’ll feel sorry for you when you’ve been beaten. He congratulates you when you win a game.

Paul Scholes told TNT Sport that Sir Bobby Charlton took part in a training session with the Man United squad ahead of a Champions League game against Barcelona

Scholes added that Sir Bobby “symbolized the football club” and was someone “you looked up to and enjoyed having around”.

“The man simply symbolized this football club, he was a picture of class that people looked up to and that we enjoyed having around.”

Sir Bobby made 758 appearances for United during his distinguished career and also earned 106 caps for England.

He won the 1966 World Cup alongside his older brother Jack and was a leader for both club and country, having survived the Munich air disaster in 1958.

At United’s pre-match tribute to one of their greatest ever players, Erik ten Hag laid a wreath on the Old Trafford pitch alongside Sir Bobby’s former teammate Alex Stepney.

Rio Ferdinand, a pundit at TNT, said: “He was, first and foremost, just a fantastic person.” He was a wonderful football player, but the way he behaved as a person was what was special for me.

“The football club ran through his veins.” We used to sometimes stand there and think: “How is he still here?” “He just loved this football club like no many I’ve ever seen before.”

Scholes added: “He was a wonderful, wonderful man.” It was a sad day when we heard the news, but I think when you look at all the tributes around the world, the first thing that comes to mind is Sir Bobby Charlton the meaning when you think of Man United.

As a player, Sir Bobby made 758 appearances for United and was part of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup

United paid tribute to Sir Bobby ahead of their Champions League game against Copenhagen

Both groups of players observed a minute’s silence in memory of the great United player Sir Bobby

“To go through what he went through with the tragedy in Munich and then winning the European Cup and the World Cup – it’s just a really sad evening tonight and we just hope we get through it.”

Ten Hag and his squad wrote personal messages in memory of Charlton at their Carrington training ground, which will be added to a book of condolence opened at Old Trafford.

More than a thousand fans signed the book within a day of his death being announced as supporters flocked to Old Trafford to pay their respects.

United plan to further commemorate Sir Bobby at Sunday’s game against Man City by applauding for a minute and displaying signs of fan remembrance with flags and surfer banners around the stadium.