Sir Bobby Charlton was one of the greatest players of his era, and played against many players regarded as the very best.
The Manchester United and England legend was respected worldwide and with his sad death at 86, the football world is in mourning.
Charlton won the European Cup and World Cup, going toe to toe with equally legendary players.
But there was one opponent who really left an impression on Sir Bobby Charlton, who he feared sharing a pitch with.
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Sir Bobby Charlton on Dave Mackay
Sir Bobby Charlton picked out Tottenham Hotspur great Dave Mackay as the player from his era who caused him to worry.
Writing in his autobiography Sir Bobby Charlton: My Manchester United Years, he explained his respect for Mackay.
Charlton said: “Down the years there would be so many giants standing across my path, from Alfredo di Stefano and Pele to Franz Beckenbauer, but there were times when I believed that after Duncan Edwards no one could have been more intimidating in his authority than Dave Mackay.
“Dave Mackay talked a lot on the field but, unlike many who did this, he never left you in any doubt that he would back up his words.”
He referenced a 5-1 defeat for Manchester United in 1965/66 to Mackay’s Tottenham as a particularly difficult experience.
Mackay, a Scotland international, was an integral part of Tottenham’s 1960/61 double winning team. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 80.
Manchester United fans in mourning for Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton’s death was announced hours before Erik ten Hag’s team defeated Sheffield United 2-1 on Saturday night.
Manager Erik ten Hag said his players had extra motivation to win the game in memory of Charlton.
Manchester United fans and supporters of other clubs yesterday flocked to Old Trafford to pay their respects, sign a book of condolences and leave tributes to the great man.
While Sir Bobby Charlton had huge respect for his opponents, it was shared, with the England legend regarded as one of the finest footballers to ever play the game.
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