{"id":299235,"date":"2023-11-13T13:25:04","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T13:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=299235"},"modified":"2023-11-13T13:25:04","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T13:25:04","slug":"sir-alex-leads-host-of-utd-stars-at-sir-bobby-charltons-funeral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/sir-alex-leads-host-of-utd-stars-at-sir-bobby-charltons-funeral\/","title":{"rendered":"Sir Alex leads host of Utd stars at Sir Bobby Charlton's funeral"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sir Alex Ferguson led mourners at Sir Bobby Charlton\u2019s funeral service as prominent figures from the world of football paid tribute to one of England\u2019s greatest-ever footballers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Legendary United boss Ferguson was pictured arriving in windy conditions at Manchester Cathedral alongside former United chief executive David Gill.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A host of former United players will attend, with Paddy Crerand, Alex Stepney and Andrew Cole among those pictured arriving for the service.<\/p>\n
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Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at the funeral of Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral<\/p>\n
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Ferguson was pictured alongside David Gill arriving at the memorial service in Manchester<\/p>\n
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Former Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney arrives for Charlton’s memorial service<\/p>\n
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United chief executive Richard Arnold alongside director David Gill ahead of the service<\/p>\n
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Former United players Paddy Crerand (left) and Andrew Cole arrive to pay their respects<\/p>\n
Stepney described the 1966 World Cup winner as a ‘classic gentleman of football’ as he walked into the service.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
An enormous poster depicting Charlton, who died on October 21 aged 86, in United colours hangs from the stadium’s exterior.<\/p>\n
His cortege will pass the ‘Holy Trinity’ statue, which depicts Charlton celebrating a goal with fellow United greats Denis Law and George Best.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Many of the current squad members have already travelled off to represent their countries in the upcoming internationals and so won’t be present.<\/p>\n
However, current manager\u00a0Erik ten Hag will miss\u00a0Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral due to an ‘unbreakable and long-standing personal commitment in the Netherlands’.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But a cavalcade of United players from the past will be in attendance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Large crowds of well-wishers gathered outside Old Trafford to pay their respects to Charlton<\/p>\n
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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\u00a0<\/p>\n
The club’s unpopular owners, the Glazer family, will also stay away amid fears of abuse from fans.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Other greats from the world of sport, including former Olympic champion Daley Thompson, are also expected.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Charlton, who battled dementia in his later years, died following an accidental fall at a care home in Knutsford, Cheshire, coroners ruled.<\/p>\n
More to follow…\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Charlton’s funeral cortege will past the Holy Trinity statue – depicting him with George Best and Denis Law – en route to Manchester Cathedral\u00a0<\/p>\n Images of Charlton outside Old Trafford ahead of United’s home fixture against Luton<\/p>\n Charlton died at the age of 86 on October 21 following a fall at his Cheshire nursing home<\/p>\n The United club legend will be sadly missed with thousands set to pay their respects<\/p>\n Tributes were paid to Charlton ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on October 29<\/p>\n It’s All Kicking Off\u00a0is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.<\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify<\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!\u00a0<\/h3>\n