'I just love watching this United team'

Repeating last season's double triumph in the UEFA Champions League and Premier League might prove to be a tall order for Manchester United FC but, as the season gathers momentum, one of the club's most famous faces, Sir Bobby Charlton, is relishing the challenge.

Special emotions
A key part of the United side that won England's first European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1968 – scoring two goals in the 4-1 final victory against SL Benfica – Sir Bobby led up the club's victorious 2008 side to collect the trophy from UEFA President Michel Platini at the Luzhniki Stadium in May. It may have been a different role but the victory was just as special for the 71-year-old, who told uefa.com: "It meant so much to me because it seemed such a long time since we won it last [in 1999]. Because Manchester United are such a vast club, probably the biggest in the world, everyone expects – we should have won the Champions League a lot more than we have. Alex Ferguson has said it was about time."

High expectations
Having won Group E ahead of Villarreal CF this time round United will take on FC Internazionale Milano in the first knockout round but, with no side having successfully defended the UEFA Champions League, Sir Bobby recognises that being holders brings a pressure all of its own. "It's going to be very tough for us," he admitted. "Everybody is waiting, wanting to show they're as good as the champions. I'm sure we'll show everybody we're as good as them but we'll have to work that little bit harder. We have young players who are capable of winning more, but that's the expectation at the club. If our good players are allowed to play we're trouble for anyone."

'Wonderful talent'
A United director since 1984, Sir Bobby has seen plenty of top-class players perform at Old Trafford and rates the current squad particularly highly, saying simply: "I love watching this team. I get so much pleasure out of seeing players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, Nani, Rooney – a wonderful talent, we haven't seen the best of him yet – and of course Cristiano Ronaldo, who last year was phenomenal. Forty-two goals seems unthinkable but he's a sensational footballer. With players like Edwin van der Sar, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick – a good passer of the ball – we have a nice blend."

Scholes 'genius'
Sir Bobby singled out Ronaldo, the top scorer in last season's UEFA Champions League with eight goals, for special praise, saying: "He loves playing and every time he scores it's a great event in his life. He's a marvellous footballer with a talent that's very hard to match. I wouldn't like to play full-back against him and I wouldn't like to be a goalkeeper either." It is another United player who holds a special place in Sir Bobby's heart, however: "Paul Scholes is a little genius. His ability to pass and his peripheral vision is fantastic; he sees everything. Whenever he turns and pinpoints a long pass I get real goosebumps because I used to enjoy it if ever I got into a position where I'd think: 'There's not many people can do that'. I see that sometimes in Paul Scholes. He's got a marvellous ability to read the game."

'Greatest ever'
Last season's success marked a second UEFA Champions League triumph for Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby is full of admiration for the achievements of his 22-year reign at Old Trafford, drawing comparisons with his own mentor Sir Matt Busby. "For somebody to go that length of time and reach those heights is unbelievable. Alex and Matt Busby were different characters with different approaches; Matt had a reputation and an aura and Alex Ferguson is a lot more direct. He knows the game inside out and has the ability to get the best out of his players, almost all of the time. Matt had the Busby Babes, who before their time were pushed into the first division. That was a brilliant decision and Alex Ferguson is just as brave. He's a terrific manager and an absolute credit to the game. Alex is the greatest manager there's ever been, anywhere, and we're lucky to have him."