Manchester United owners the Glazer family decided to stay away from Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral today for fear their presence might become a distraction. The controversial owners were notable absentees along with manager Erik ten Hag.
United boss Ten Hag offered his apologies for being unable to be in Manchester due to an “unbreakable and long-standing commitment in the Netherlands”. But the owners’ failure to be represented was understood to be in order not to create a distraction.
The memorial service at Manchester Cathedral was attended by Prince William, UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin and England manager Gareth Southgate. From United Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill, Martin Edwards, Ed Woodward and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as well as a host of ex-players.
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton represented the current dressing room. Alex Stepney, Paddy Crerand, Brian Kidd, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney were among former United greats.
Mike Summerbee, Ian Callaghan and Alan Kennedy represented other north west clubs at the ceremony, which paid respect to arguably English football’s greatest ever player. The 86-year-old, an iconic member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, died on October 21 at Macclesfield General hospital.
A coroner has ruled that he died after a fall at his Cheshire care home. He hit a window sill and “possibly a radiator” after losing his balance as he stood up from a chair at The Willow in Mobberley, a nursing home specifically for people with dementia.
While Charlton was initially deemed uninjured by staff, there was later found to be swelling to his back. He was taken to hospital and scans showed he had fractured his ribs, making him likely to develop pneumonia. He was put on end of life care.
A coroner’s document seen by the Press Association read: “Retired Manchester United legendary footballer Sir Bobby Charlton was admitted to Macclesfield Hospital at the age of 86 following a fall at his care home on 16 October, 2023.
“He sustained rib fractures as he stood up and fell against a window sill due to being unsteady on his feet. He had resided at The Willows since July 2023, initially for respite, and last two months of life.
“He continued to mobilise as usual following the fall until it was noted that he had swelling to his back. He was examined by the home’s GP and transported to hospital, where he was placed on end-of-life care and sadly passed away on 21 October 2023 at 03:50 hours.”
