http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_4994637,00.html
Sir Bobby Charlton feels it is "crazy" to even think Manchester United could complete an unprecedented clean sweep of five trophies this season.
After United's Carling Cup triumph over Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday, Charlton takes centre stage on Monday evening as he is presented with the Freedom of the City at a lavish ceremony at Manchester Town Hall.
Sir Alex Ferguson - who has previously been awarded the honour - plus veteran players Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville will be on hand to witness the ceremony, another notable milestone in the life of Charlton, one of only two Englishmen - the other being old team-mate Nobby Styles - to have won both the World Cup and European Cup.
Yet as humble as the 71-year-old feels about the honour, Charlton is still buzzing at watching United, who won the World Club Cup earlier this season, overcome Spurs at the second stage of a journey that could end with a clean sweep of every major prize on offer.
"It is crazy to think all those trophies could be won," said Charlton.
"We have not won the Premier League yet, or the Champions League, or the FA Cup. But we have started and I don't put anything past these players."
However, if United are to complete an achievement that would rank alongside anything the club game has ever seen, Charlton hopes it will be without the need for another penalty shoot-out.
The former England skipper's nerves have only just recovered from the tension of Champions League glory in Moscow last season, so Sunday's success was not exactly ideal.
"If they were to achieve all five, I don't think there is any way I would be there because yesterday I was shaking like a leaf at the end," he said.
"I couldn't see myself having to go through all that again two more times.
"But it is such a great ride at the moment. The team are so enthusiastic.
"If we can be lucky with suspensions and injuries it would still not be probable but it would be possible."
In handing over the man-of-the-match award to goalkeeper Ben Foster, Charlton felt there was a certain poignancy given Monday's festivities.
As understudy to Edwin van der Sar, Foster needs the same spirit and determination Charlton feels is an integral part of Manchester life, which he has been so immersed in since his left his native north-east as a 15-year-old.
"Manchester United has never been afraid to give people a chance," said Charlton.
"Ben Foster performed miracles to keep Tottenham out yesterday. It was typical of the type of response you get when people give you a challenge."
As Charlton surveyed a scroll of honour in the Town Hall, detailing all previous recipients of the award now being bestowed on him, the names of Winston Churchill and Clement Atlee stand out.
The great war-time leader and the man who replaced him as Prime Minister in 1945 to drag Great Britain off its knees are two of the most revered individuals in modern-day history.
It is a measure of Charlton's own standing that a 'mere' footballer should be regarded as an equal. Yet Manchester as a city is renowned throughout the world because of the club based - in Salford - at Old Trafford.
What is now a global phenomenon was just an ordinary football club when Charlton first joined. Yet through Matt Busby's Babes, Munich, Wembley 1968 and the current Fergn era, United have become a monolith, known and acknowledged around the planet.
And Charlton has been there through it all.
"A lot of people helped create Manchester United," he said. "I am just one person.
"But I love the city and I love its history. There is a work ethic about the people here that should be admired.
"Because of the success Manchester United have had, it is known all over the world.
"Billions of people watch my club play. It is just sensational.
"I wasn't bad at football. If that in just a small way helped more people get to know Manchester, I feel very humble and very proud."
