Manchester United owners the Glazer family decided to stay away from 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 who 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.
