Get the day's biggest United stories delivered straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

United legend Bill Foulkes has passed away on Monday morning at the age of 81, the club have confirmed.

One-club man Foulkes made 688 appearances for the Reds over the course of his 19-year career, a figure only bettered by Ryan Giggs and Sir Bobby Charlton.

The St Helens-born defender, a survivor of the Munich air disaster, started in the 1968 European Cup final victory over Benfica.

He also helped United to four First Division titles and the 1963 FA Cup.

Foulkes made his Reds debut during the 1952-53 season in a league match against Liverpool at Anfield just after his 20th birthday.

The former miner was often utilised at right-back by Sir Matt Busby during his early years in the team, but soon developed into an uncompromising centre-half.

Foulkes' first taste of silverware came in the 1955-56 season, as he helped United to the First Division title, and Busby's side followed that up with another success the year after.

Disaster struck in the former of the tragedy in Munich the following year, but Foulkes was part of the band of survivors which allowed United to rebuild.

It would take until the 1963 FA Cup win for the club to truly bounce back, but back-to-back league titles in the seasons that followed paved the way for Foulkes' finest hour.

The then-36-year-old scored a vital late equaliser in a 3-3 draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, a result which saw United through to the European Cup final courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate win.

See video from that game below - Foulkes' goal can be seen from 13.30 onwards ...

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

And he subsequently started - and finished - the 4-1 victory over Benfica which brought the trophy to Old Trafford for the first time.

Foulkes retired from playing in 1970 and, after staying on to coach at United for a brief spell, went over to the United States to try his hand at management .

Further stints in Norway and Japan followed, before Foulkes ended his four-year association with FC Mazda and officially retired from the game.