Can you name United’s four knights?

Old Trafford.

Tuesday 17 June 2025 08:00

It was announced on Saturday that David Beckham will be made a knight in the King’s Birthday Honours, entering him into an elite group at Manchester United.

The Treble winner is only our fifth former player or manager to receive the prestigious honour, following in the footsteps of three club icons and one ex-Red you might not know about.

Sir Matt Busby was given the ultimate UK honour in June 1969, a year after he’d made United the first English side to win the European Cup by beating Benfica at Wembley Stadium, courtesy of goals from homegrown heroes Bobby Charlton (two), George Best and Brian Kidd.

That emotional success was 10 years after the Munich Air Disaster which killed 23 people, including eight players, and injured many others, including Busby and Charlton. Sir Matt’s ability to rebuild in such horrific circumstances defined the club’s DNA and continues to inspire us all.

Sir Walter Winterbottom is the lesser-known of our four knights, after he was given the award in 1978.

His Reds connection? Before becoming England’s first national manager, he was a United player who made 27 appearances during the 1936/37 and 1937/38 seasons.

The next name on our list, Sir Bobby Charlton, is undoubtedly synonymous with football fans around the world following his legendary achievements with both United and England.

A gentleman of the game, Bobby was officially made a Sir by the Queen in 1994.

Of course, Sir Alex Ferguson was awarded his knighthood in June 1999, shortly after winning The Treble on that unforgettable night at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.

Like Sirs Bobby and Walter before him, Sir Alex added to OBEs and CBEs already garnered (Sir Matt had received a CBE but not an OBE prior to knighthood).

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Reacting to Saturday’s official announcement, Becks told the Press Association: “Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour.

“To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career, and literally a boyhood dream come true.

“I’m so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I’m grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment. It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I’m immensely proud and it’s such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.”