Bobby Charlton funeral latest updates as Manchester United legend laid to rest

Charlton funeral sends reminder

A short throw-in away from Prince William, John Shiels got the ball out at Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral inside Manchester Cathedral.

The most important figure in the history of English football would have loved that. In sport, there has never been a more harmonious, more natural sight than Bobby and the ball. “He would say this is the best toy ever invented,” John said, holding the ball up to the congregation of a thousand mourners.

John, chief executive of the Manchester United Foundation and who worked with the first-ever Bobby Charlton Soccer School in the late Seventies, then recounted what his dear friend said he wanted every youngster who came along to the coaching sessions to feel like.

Read Andy Dunn's full piece here

Young shares touching message

Former Man Utd star Ashley Young has shared a touching message for Sir Bobby Charlton after attending his funeral this afternoon.

He wrote on Twitter: "Paying my huge and utmost respect to Sir Bobby Charlton. It was an honour to be invited, there’s no way I’d of missed celebrating such a Legend of our Club and Country's life."

Sir Alex leads tributes

Sir Alex Ferguson led the tributes as the football world said farewell to Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton.

Thousands of fans gathered at Old Trafford and Manchester Cathedral to pay their final respects to World Cup winner Charlton, who died last month aged 86. Former United boss Ferguson said he owed his glittering managerial reign to Charlton, who stood by him throughout his time in charge - particularly when he was under pressure.

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“He was a fantastic man,” said Ferguson after the service at the cathedral. “I was at United because of Bobby Charlton, no question about that. From the day I came, he supported me 100 percent, all the way."

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Old Trafford adorned with banner

Manchester United have also adourned Old Trafford with a banner of Sir Bobby Charlton.

A banner of Sir Bobby Charlton is flown at Old Trafford (Getty Images)

Man United release touching video

Manchester United have released a touching video of the day they bid a fond farewell to Sir Bobby Charlton.

It shows supporters, former players and more paying their respects to the Red Devils' icon.

Red Devils' icon sports different look

Manchester United icon Brian McClair was among those in attendance at Sir Bobby Charlton ’s funeral as thousands paid their respects on Monday.

The former forward was among a host of former and current Red Devils who featured on the guestlist for Monday afternoon’s touching ceremony, alongside his ex-manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

McClair, now 59, was pictured sporting a considerable beard, as well as flowing, grey hair - looking considerably different to during his playing days at Old Trafford. He previously left fans astonished with his new look back in January after posing for a photo with a fan in a pub in Manchester.

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Charlton receives fitting tribute

They came in their thousands, young and old, to honour the greatest English footballer of all time.

As Sir Bobby Charlton passed by Old Trafford for the final time, the sun broke through the grey clouds, lighting up the famous area, just as he did during his glittering Manchester United playing career. United fans began arriving at the Theatre of Dreams – the endearing name for Old Trafford coined by Charlton – from 10.30am, three hours before the funeral cortege was due to arrive.

Read David McDonnell's full tribute here

Charlton leaves cathedral

Tommy Charlton has left Manchester Cathedrak after paying an emotional tribute to his brother - Sir Bobby Charlton.

Speaking to Sky ahead of the funeral, he said: "It's been very heart-warming to have so many people telling me that they were really proud of Bob.

"I've never thought of Bob and Jack as anything but my brothers - they died as my brothers, not as famous footballers.

"And that is difficult for me. It's difficult to separate the two. And it's heart-warming to see that the number of people, thousands of people, telling me that they respected Bob and they respected Jack."

Tommy Charlton leaves Manchester Cathedral after Monday's funeral (Getty Images)

Butragueno attends

Former Spain and Real Madrid striker Emilio Butragueno attended Sir Bobby Charlton's funeral this afternoon as a representative of the Spanish giants.

He scored 171 goals in 460 appearances for Real Madrid after progressing the club's youth system.

England share Charlton tributes

England have shared a number of touching images after a host of current and former stars attended Sir Bobby Charlton's funeral earlier today.

Lineker adds to Charlton tribute

After speaking after the funeral, Gary Lineker has taken to Twitter with another touching tribute.

The former England striker wrote: "Absolute privilege to be present at the service to celebrate the extraordinary career and life of the great man. RIP Sir Bobby."

Schmeichel lauds Charlton

Carrick on "inspirational" Charlton

Ex-Manchester United star Michael Carrick has labelled Sir Bobby Charlton as a "hugely inspirational" character following his funeral service.

Carrick told Sky Sports: "It was very mixed emotions. Celebration is a lot of it, very said of course. A lot of people know what Sir Bobby as a footballer achieved. What he did for Manchester United and England.

"For me, it's about him as a person, having got to know him and feeling his support, learning off him and what it takes to play for Manchester United, how you behaved, how you thought, how you approached it. He was hugely inspirational. Really mixed emotions."

Lineker shares Charlton moment

Gary Lineker has hailed Sir Bobby Charlton as "generous and kind" but also detailed the success of his career at his funeral service at Manchester Cathedral.

"It was a lovely send off for a great man," Lineker told Sky Sports. "These things are always quite emotive with a lot of affection, a lot of emotion. People have come from all over the world to pay their respects. I feel privaledged to be here."

Lineker added: "You could probably go back to Sir Bobby Charlton's career and there are so many things that came together.

"Obviously surviving the Air Crash to then have the career he did, winning the World Cup with England, so much success with Manchester United, the best goalscorer for Manchester United for a very long time.

"There was so much on the pitch, but also off the pitch with him, he was so generous and kind."

Macari hails Charlton

Former Manchester United star Lou Macari has hailed Sir Bobby Charlton and looked back on one particular moment they shared together.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Macari said: "We all know about Sir Bobby, so whatever was said in there I knew. We could've been in there all day talking about him. They don't come along everyday people like Sir Bobby Charlton.

"I first met him when I came from Celtic to Old Trafford and I came to take his position in the team. But he didn't mind, he gave me great encouragement. He told me what was required to be a Manchester United player and he'd been there 17 years and I said 'I'll never break your record'. He said: 'try it because it's achieveable'.

"All the records we talked about in the church there Hayley, everything was mentioned about his goalscoring, games played and his committment to football."

Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton sadly passed away last month (Getty Images)

Ferguson on Charlton

Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton following the funeral service of the former Manchester United and England superstar.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ferguson said: "It was very sombre, wonderful tribute from his grandson, I thought it was fantastic. It's not easy going on speaking, but he was a fantastic man. I am United because of Sir Bobby Charlton.

"The day I arrived he supported me 100%, all the way," Ferguson added. "He was totally behind me in everything we tried, and, as I say, I'm here because of Bobby Charlton."

Service over

The funeral service for Sir Bobby Charlton has finished at Manchester Cathedral, with Roy Keane, Harry Maguire, Nicky Butt and Prince William among those pictured leaving.

Many of the guests will now make their way back to Old Trafford.

Sir Bobby's health battle and death

Sir Bobby Charlton spent the last three months of his life living at the Willows care home as he battled dementia, an inquest into his tragic death was told.

Charlton, a Manchester United legend who also won the World Cup with England in 1966, died last month at the age of 86 following an accidental fall. At the inquest, a statement from Charlton's widow Lady Norma said the footballer had been living at the care home since July and was receiving respite care.

Care home manager Tamara Simmons told the court that he "needed support with all aspects of daily living". Charlton was also described as "unsteady on his feet, especially when standing from a seated position" as a result of his dementia.

The court was told that his bed was also as low down as possible with mats and motion sensors surrounding it over fears that Charlton's restlessness could lead to him falling. Senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish ruled his death as accidental after he suffered a fall at the care home on October 16.

Read more here.

Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away at the age of 86 (Getty Images)

How Sir Bobby ended Jack feud

Manchester United icon and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton has sadly passed away – three years after the death of his older brother and former international teammate Jack.

Sir Bobby formed part of Matt Busby's successful United side of the 1960s, helping the club win three first division titles as well as the European Cup in 1968. He was one of the few players to survive the horrific Munich air disaster in 1958 which claimed the lives of 23 people.

Former forward Charlton was a crucial cog in England's World Cup-winning side of 1966, playing alongside brother Jack. His efforts that year won him the Ballon d'Or award for the world's greatest player, before finishing second in the same competition in 1967 and 1968.

Charlton was one of only nine players in football history to have won the World Cup, European Cup (now Champions League ) and the Ballon d'Or, with former Three Lions boss Sir Alf Ramsay noting he was the “lynchpin of our team”.

Of course, among his England teammates was his old brother Jack. The two brothers were very different characters; Bobby was shy and reserved, particularly in public, while Jack was loud and outgoing.

Read more here.

Farewell Sir Bobby

Manchester United fans began arriving at the Theatre of Dreams – the name for Old Trafford actually coined by Charlton – from 10.30am this morning to pay their tributes to the English legend. That just shows the level of feeling for him, fans pitching up a full three hours beforehand.

At the order of service, a picture on the programme shows a young Charlton from back during his playing days at the club.

They may never see his like again.

A picture of Sir Bobby Charlton, during his United career, as shown on the order of service at his funeral (PA)

Charlton banner

A touching Sir Bobby Charlton banner was present outside Old Trafford.

A Sir Bobby Charlton banner placed by fans is fixed to the railings outside Old Trafford (Getty Images)

Sir Bobby's wife followed him inside

Sir Bobby Charlton's wife, Norma, Bobby’s wife Norma Charlton walked behind pallbearers carrying his coffin into Manchester Cathedral.

She spoke to the vicar after arriving alongside her husband as part of the funeral cortege.

Bobby’s wife Norma Charlton (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Fans applaud Sir Bobby

Fans applaud as Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral procession makes its way from Old Trafford to Manchester Cathedral pic.twitter.com/GcoAEgGPfx

— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) November 13, 2023

Flowers outside Old Trafford

Flower tributes are left at Old Trafford in memory of Sir Bobby Charlton (Getty Images)

Young United stars' wonderful tribute to Sir Bobby

The 1966 World Cup winner’s funeral cortege was earlier welcomed with applause as it drove past the stadium’s East Stand and the United Trinity statue, which features Charlton, George Best and Denis Law.

As it approached, representatives of the club’s under-18 and under-21 teams were there to welcome it, forming a guard of honour flanking the statue.

Behind it, there were numerous black and white photographs depicting Charlton’s long and illustrious career as a player and then a director at the club.

High on the glass wall of the East Stand were two huge black and white photographs – one of Charlton in his Busby Babes playing days and the other of him as the club’s elder statesman as a director – flanking the words 'Sir Bobby Charlton, 1937-2023. Forever Loved'.

(William Lailey / SWNS)

Bruce on Charlton

Steve Bruce has hailed Sir Bobby Charlton as "class" and "proper" as he arrived at Manchester Catherdral for the former Manchester United midfielder's funeral.

"We are arguably talking about the greatest English footballer we've ever had," Bruce said. "Some would say as good as anybody else ever. As a man, he used class as a man too.

"When you've got a mixture of both you can understand why there's going to be thousands lying the streets, paying their upmost respects because he was a proper man and a wonderful footballer."

Roy Keane at Manchester Cathedral

Among those who have made their way inside, is former club captain Roy Keane.

It's not often you see Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson in the same venue for the same reason.

Keane arrived with long-time pal Nicky Butt for the service, where it's understood Sir Alex will be speaking.

Nicky Butt and Roy Keane, Man Utd legends, arrive at Sir Bobby Charlton's funeral (SplashNews.com)

Private ceremony

A private ceremony is about to start inside Manchester Cathedral to remember the life of Sir Bobby Charlton.

The ex-Manchester United midfielder's hearse departed Old Trafford at around 1:30pm and arrived at the cathedral on Victoria Street at around 2pm.

A hearse carrying the coffin of Sir Bobby Charlton (Getty Images)

A sombre looking Prince William

Prince William looked especially sombre before making his way into Manchester Cathedral.

He has recently been in Singapore for the Earthshot Prize Awards, before returning to the UK for the Remembrance Weekend Services.

All those in attendance have now made their way inside the Cathedral for the service.

Read more here.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Hearse arrives at Manchester Catherdal

Sir Bobby Charlton's hearse has arrived at Manchester Cathedral ahead of his funeral service.

There is a sombre mood, but fans - like at Old Trafford - have gathered outside to applaud him.