'If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be a Red': Tears on poignant night at Old Trafford as fans pay their respects to 'Mr Manchester United' Sir Bobby Charlton

On a matchday, the forecourt outside Old Trafford's East Stand would normally be a cauldron of noise and a hive of activity.

Yet tonight, despite United playing in a crunch Champions League match, there was an almost eerie quiet around the famous Trinity Statue.

The sculpture, which honour's the club's three heroes of the 1960s - Denis Law, George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton - has now become a shrine to Sir Bobby after his passing on Saturday aged 86.

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An ever-growing sea of flowers, wreaths, scarves and shirts surrounds it as the outpouring of love and admiration for the United and England icon continues.

Tonight's match against FC Copenhagen, in the competition Sir Bobby famously won for them in 1968, was the Red's first home game since news of his death was announced.

And scores of the capacity 75,000 plus crowd quietly made their way round to East Stand, which has been decorated to read ‘Sir Bobby Charlton. Forever Loved’ between pictures of him in his playing days and latter years.

They laid tributes, which are growing in number by the hour. Others just quietly filed past or stopped to take a moment to reflect on Sir Bobby's life and career, but also what he meant to them. Some were in tears and visibly moved as they paid their respects.

One of those was Diane Irving, 62, from North Wales. She said: "It's a huge loss for Manchester United. Not just for this club but for football overall.

"I grew up with him. He wasn't just a wonderful footballer, it was