Another of England's greatest-ever players, Bobby Moore led the salutes to his friend and international team-mate as the country celebrated a giant of the game.
Sir Bobby still had a further outing lined up, against Verona in the Anglo-Italian Cup. But the Division One fixture at Stamford Bridge - his 758th match for the Reds, then a club record - is regarded as his official farewell and there was great clamour to see him perform.
The gates were locked an hour before kick-off due to the capacity crowd, with thousands reportedly still outside. His popularity transcended United, following his World-Cup winning exploits alongside Moore, in 1966.