Another of England's finest players, Bobby Moore led the tributes to his friend as the country saluted a giant of the game. As he finished on 758 appearances, then a record for the club, he still had an Anglo-Italian Cup outing against Verona lined up, but there was great clamour to see him perform at Stamford Bridge.
The gates were locked an hour before kick-off due to the capacity crowd, with thousands reportedly still outside, as his popularity transcended United, following his World-Cup winning exploits, alongside Moore.
Writing in his Daily Mirror column, West Ham favourite Moore was effusive in his praise of his pal, saying: “Bobby brought class and dignity to Old Trafford and fame to himself.