Many Manchester United fans will be keen to see the new Sir Bobby Charlton mural near Old Trafford, which was unveiled on Tuesday 14 November, the day after the English footballing legend's funeral at Manchester Cathedral.
Thousands lined the streets and attended Charlton's funeral. Perhaps England's most famous footballing son, Charlton won three First Division titles, one FA Cup, and the European Cup with Manchester United, and had shorter spells after with Preston North End, Waterford United, and various Australian clubs. For his country, Charlton made 106 appearances and won the World Cup with England in 1966.
So, where is the mural? Who's behind it? Find out the answers to those questions and other key information detailed below in this fan-led guide…
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Artist creating a Sir Bobby Charlton mural pic.twitter.com/5S00BUIGpo
— Jamie Sheppard (@ProducerShep) November 14, 2023
The new Sir Bobby Charlton mural
An ever-present at Old Trafford, from making 758 appearances over a nearly 20-year career to serving as a director until his death, it's only right that Charlton is remembered properly around the ground.
A survivor of the tragic Munich air disaster that took the lives of 23 others, Charlton is already acknowledged inside and outside Old Trafford, with a stand named after him and a statue. Now, though, a mural has been painted on the side of a nearby pub, The Trafford.
The mural was painted on Tuesday 14 November by Northampton-based artist Jano.
Where is the Sir Bobby Charlton mural?
The new mural of Sir Bobby Charlton can be found at the side of The Trafford Pub. It is located opposite Sir Matt Busby Way. The mural can be seen on the side of the pub on the way to Old Trafford.
Fans can most easily find the mural by taking the tram to Old Trafford tram stop, which is next to the Old Trafford cricket ground. Walk up from the tram stop up towards the football ground and the mural will be on your right.
The site of the new Sir Bobby Charlton mural was formerly filled by a similar piece dedicated towards Cristiano Ronaldo, painted when he re-joined the club in 2021.
Have to share Reds! Northampton based artist Jano had been working all day in the Rain to finish this mural of Sir Bobby Charlton on The Trafford pub. pic.twitter.com/AyGt9VpTVW
— Eddy (@EddyMarkmufc) November 15, 2023
Where is the Sir Bobby Charlton statue at Old Trafford?
The United Trinity Statue, as it is known, depicts Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, and George Best, the trio who helped win Manchester United the European Cup in 1968, becoming the first English club to do so. It can be found outside of Old Trafford and was unveiled back in 2008.
Is there other Manchester United artwork around Old Trafford?
Sir Bobby Charlton is not the only United legend to be given a mural in Manchester, with players such as George Best, United Women and England European Championship winner Mary Earps, and current United forward Marcus Rashford all being honoured with artwork of their own.
George Best has numerous murals painted of him, with a few painted in his boyhood home of East Belfast. However, he also shares an impressive mural that was painted of various sportspersons at the side of a Coach and Horses Pub in Whitefield, Bury. That mural includes Eric Cantona, Colin Bell, Sergio Aguero, and Leah Williamson and is quite impressive. Another Best mural can be found on the side of the Old Nag's Head pub in central Manchester.
England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps has also had a mural painted of her in on a wall near Old Trafford. The image of Mary is in full celebration mode and is opposite the Manchester United Foundation building, with the message ‘Welcome to Manchester' across it.
‘Welcome to Manchester’ – Mary Earps mural opposite the @MU_Foundation building. pic.twitter.com/3dB2LUvWJn
— Dale O'Donnell (@ODonnellDale) August 15, 2023
The mural of current Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford was painted more because of his effort to bring free school lunches to kids and the work he did for the community rather than his footballing achievements. It was painted by street artist Akse P19 and can be found on a wall in the Withington area of Manchester. It was completed in 2020 and gained huge recognition when it was shown to the public. It was later the site of tributes to Rashford after he received racist abuse following a missed penalty in the Euro 2020 final. Thousands of fans visited and left messages and floral tributes beside it.