- The funeral of United and England great Charlton will take place on Monday
- Football stars past and present will attend a memorial service
- The funeral procession is expected to pass through Old Trafford at around 1.30pm
Sir Alex Ferguson led mourners at Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral service as prominent figures from the football world paid tribute to one of England’s greatest ever footballers.
Family, friends, fans and football celebrities will celebrate Charlton’s extraordinary life on Monday afternoon as his funeral procession passes Old Trafford before heading to Manchester Cathedral for a memorial service.
However, current manager Erik ten Hag will miss Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral due to an ‘unbreakable and long-term personal involvement in the Netherlands’.
Legendary United boss Ferguson was pictured arriving at Manchester Cathedral in windy conditions with former United boss David Gill.
A host of former United players will be in attendance, including Paddy Crerand, Alex Stepney and Andrew Cole who will be pictured for the service.
Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral
Ferguson was pictured next to David Gill arriving at the memorial service in Manchester
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney arrives for Charlton’s memorial service
United chief executive Richard Arnold with managing director David Gill ahead of the service
Former United players Paddy Crerand (left) and Andrew Cole arrive to pay their respects
Stepney described the 1966 World Cup winner as a ‘classic football gentleman’ when he joined.
Thousands of fans and supporters are expected to line the route of Charlton’s funeral procession, which will pass Old Trafford at around 1.30pm before heading to Manchester Cathedral for the 2pm service.
A platform has been built under the statue of Charlton’s United manager, Sir Matt Busby, with thousands of fans expected to line the route.
A huge poster in United colors hangs on the outside of the stadium with the image of Charlton, who died on October 21 at the age of 86.
His procession passes the ‘Holy Trinity’ statue, which depicts Charlton celebrating a goal with fellow United greats Denis Law and George Best.
The service at the cathedral will be led by Canon Nigel Ashworth and will include eulogies by family members and the club. It remains private and is not filmed.
Many of the current team members have already traveled to represent their country in the upcoming internationals and will therefore not be present.
But there will be a cavalcade of United players from the past.
The club’s unpopular owners, the Glazer family, will also stay away for fear of abuse from fans.
Other greats from the sporting world, including former Olympic champion Daley Thompson, are also expected.
Tens of thousands have signed a book of condolence opened at Old Trafford following Sir Bobby’s death in the early hours of October 21.
Charlton, who battled dementia in his later years, died after an accidental fall at a care home in Knutsford, Cheshire, coroners heard.
More to follow…