Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag to miss funeral of Sir Bobby Charlton with four players due to attend

Charlton's funeral takes place on Monday afternoon and four United players - Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton - will be in attendance.

Ten Hag is, however, unable to be there due to an 'unbreakable and long-standing personal commitment' in the Netherlands.

​Family, friends and fans from across the football world are set to come together for Charlton's funeral.

They will celebrate his extraordinary life, with the Red Devils icon considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Charlton won three First Division titles while playing for United, as well as the European Cup in 1968.

That triumph came 10 years after the Munich Air Disaster when 23 people died after an accident on the runway.

Two former United managers will attend Charlton's funeral in the absence of Ten Hag.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be there, with the United icon previously working with Charlton while the former midfielder was a director at the club.

The Scot recently lost his wife, Lady Cathy Ferguson.

But he was in attendance to watch United beat Luton 1-0 on Saturday, with Victor Lindelof scoring the only goal of the game.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be among the mourners, too.

The Norwegian spent two-and-a-half years as United boss prior to being sacked in November 2021.

Former players such as Alex Stepney, Paddy Crerand, John Aston Jnr, Brian Kidd, Sammy Mccllroy, Alan Gowling, Lou Macari, Willie Morgan, Martin Buchan, Bryan Robson and Mark Hughes will also be there.

However, the much-maligned Glazer family are poised to stay away.

The Americans have owned United ever since 2005.

But they've long been unpopular and won't be attending the ceremony at Manchester Cathedral due to fears of a backlash, having refused to sell the club despite the strong opposition to their rule.

Charlton's cortege will pass by the 'Holy Trinity' statue at around 1.30pm.

The statue shows the ex-England star celebrating with fellow club icons George Best and Denis Law.

Charlton's family reacted to his death last month by saying: "His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him.

"We would request that the family's privacy be respected at this time."

United themselves lamented the loss of their iconic star by saying: "Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club.

"Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.

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"He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.

"A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup.

"For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup.

"Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years.

"His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live

on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.
"The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him."