Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral as a long guestlist of Man United legends – and four current stars – prepare to honour their greatest-ever player at Manchester Cathedral after his death aged 86

• The funeral of United and England great Charlton takes place on Monday 
• Football luminaries from past and present will attend a memorial service 
• Funeral cortege is expected to pass Old Trafford at around 1.30pm 

Sir Alex Ferguson led mourners at Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral service as prominent figures from the world of football paid tribute to one of England’s greatest-ever footballers. 

Family, friends, fans and luminaries from the football world will celebrate Charlton’s extraordinary life on Monday afternoon with his funeral cortege set to pass Old Trafford before heading on to Manchester Cathedral for a memorial service. 

Legendary United boss Ferguson was pictured arriving in windy conditions at Manchester Cathedral alongside former United chief executive David Gill. 

A host of former United players will attend, with Paddy Crerand, Alex Stepney and Andrew Cole among those pictured arriving for the service.

Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at the funeral of Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral

Ferguson was pictured alongside 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 alongside 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 gentleman of football’ as he walked into the service. 

Thousands of fans and well-wishers are expected to line the route of Charlton’s funeral cortege, which will pass Old Trafford at around 1.30pm before making its way to Manchester Cathedral for the 2pm service. 

Beneath the statue of Charlton’s manager at United, Sir Matt Busby, a platform has been erected with thousands of fans expected to line the route.

An enormous poster depicting Charlton, who died on October 21 aged 86, in United colours hangs from the stadium’s exterior.

His cortege will pass 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 feature eulogies by family members and the club. It will remain private and not be filmed. 

Many of the current squad members have already travelled off to represent their countries in the upcoming internationals and so won’t be present.

However, current manager Erik ten Hag will miss Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral due to an ‘unbreakable and long-standing personal commitment in the Netherlands’. 

But a cavalcade of United players from the past will be in attendance. 

Large crowds of well-wishers gathered outside Old Trafford to pay their respects to Charlton

Despite wet and windy conditions in Manchester, the route of the funeral courtege was packed with many who admired Charlton as a footballer and a man 

The club’s unpopular owners, the Glazer family, will also stay away amid fears of abuse from fans.  

Other greats from the world of sport, 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 passing in the early hours of October 21.

Charlton, who battled dementia in his later years, died following an accidental fall at a care home in Knutsford, Cheshire, coroners ruled.

More to follow… 

Charlton’s funeral cortege will past the Holy Trinity statue – depicting him with George Best and Denis Law – en route to Manchester Cathedral 

Images of Charlton outside Old Trafford ahead of United’s home fixture against Luton

Charlton died at the age of 86 on October 21 following a fall at his Cheshire nursing home

The United club legend will be sadly missed with thousands set to pay their respects

Tributes were paid to Charlton ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on October 29

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