Sheffield United join Gary Speed in paying tribute to Sir Bobby Robson who has passed away, aged 76, following a long battle with cancer.

After a playing career that saw him win 20 caps for England Robson went on to enjoy a glittering managerial career in club and International football at home and abroad before returning to his native north-east in 1999 to manage Newcastle United.

Speed worked for "four or five years" under Robson who was knighted in November 2002, said:

"He was a great man, a great guy and a great coach, and he made his players feel about ten feet tall. You wanted to go out and play for Sir Bobby and would run through a brick wall to do that.

"It was a privilege to work with him and I am sure that the whole country will recognise that he was a genuine guy whose love of football benefited fans and players throughout this country and beyond."