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 famous players past and present 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.
Legendary United boss Ferguson was pictured arriving at Manchester Cathedral in windy conditions with former United boss David Gill.
Among the 1,000 attendees are a host of former United players, including Paddy Crerand, Alex Stepney, Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Paul Scholes, Peter Schmeichel and Andrew Cole.
England manager Gareth Southgate is also on hand to pay tribute to 1966 World Cup hero Charlton.
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
Charlton’s funeral procession passes the ‘Holy Trinity’ statue of Charlton, George Best and Denis Law outside Old Trafford on Monday afternoon on the way to his memorial service
Large crowds gathered on the forecourt of Old Trafford to pay their respects to the United Greats
The funeral procession passed the large Charlton banner hanging outside Old Trafford
England manager Gareth Southgate imagined himself arriving at Manchester Cathedral
Manchester United great Paul Scholes arrives at Charlton’s memorial service on Monday
Stepney described the 1966 World Cup winner as a ‘classic football gentleman’ when he joined.
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton represented the current United squad.
Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also in attendance.
Former Liverpool and Newcastle United player Alan Kennedy was among a host of representatives from other clubs, including Real Madrid great Emilio Butragueño.
Thousands of fans and supporters lined 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.
Supporters gathered outside Old Trafford and applauded as the procession passed by.
A platform has been set up under the statue of Charlton’s United manager, Sir Matt Busby, for thousands of people to come together to pay their respects.
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.
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 player and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arrives on Monday afternoon
Former United players Paddy Crerand (left) and Andrew Cole arrive to pay their respects
Former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce arrives for Charlton’s memorial service
Ex-United and England star Bryan Robson arrives to pay his respects to Charlton
His procession passes the ‘Holy Trinity’ statue, which depicts Charlton celebrating a goal with fellow United greats Denis Law and George Best.
A red, white and black scarf has been draped around Charlton’s neck, with the statue the centerpiece of many floral tributes left by fans in recent weeks.
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.
However, current manager Erik ten Hag will miss Charlton’s funeral due to an ‘unbreakable and long-term personal involvement in the Netherlands’.
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.
Alan Kennedy, the former Newcastle United and Liverpool footballer, arrives
Large crowds of well-wishers gathered outside Old Trafford to pay their respects to Charlton
Despite the wet and windy conditions in Manchester, the funeral procession route was packed with many who admired Charlton as a footballer and a man.
Charlton’s funeral procession passes the statue of the Holy Trinity – on which he is depicted with George Best and Denis Law – on its way to Manchester Cathedral
Images of Charlton outside Old Trafford ahead of United’s home match against Luton
Charlton died on October 21 at the age of 86 after a fall at his nursing home in Cheshire
The United club legend will be sadly missed as thousands of people will pay their respects
Tributes were paid to Charlton ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on October 29
