Sir Alex Ferguson pays emotional tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton after funeral of Man Utd icon
Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed Man Utd icon Sir Bobby Charlton after attending his funeral
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Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton after attending the funeral of the Manchester United icon.
Former players, managers and staff were among the guests at Manchester Cathedral on Monday.
Charlton died at the age of 86 last month after a fall at a care home, having suffered from dementia during his final years.
Ferguson was among those to attend the service and the Scot, speaking to Sky Sports, has now hailed the ceremony and said he was happy with how it went.
WATCH NOW: Fans pay respects to Sir Bobby
"It was very sombre, wonderful tribute from his grandson, I thought it was fantastic," he said.
"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 per cent, all the way.
"He was totally behind me in everything we tried, and, as I say, I'm here because of Bobby Charlton."
Gary Lineker was also among the mourners.
And the Match of the Day presenter also admitted he was privileged to be there to give Charlton such a wonderful send-off.
"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 privileged to be here."
The 62-year-old 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."
Four United players attended the ceremony.
Academy graduates Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans were there, as well as defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
Former footballers who attended also included Alex Stepney, John Aston Jnr, Brian Kidd, Sammy McIlroy, Alan Gowling, Lou Macari, Willie Morgan, Martin Duchan, Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes, Brian McClair, Steve Bruce, Mike Phelan, Gary Pallister, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Nicky Butt, Wes Brown, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Ashley Young.
Bruce, who helped United win a first Premier League title under Ferguson, hailed Charlton by saying: "We are arguably talking about the greatest English footballer we've ever had.
"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."
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And former United star Bryan Robson added: "It's a sad day for football, for Manchester United and for his family.
"Sir Bobby was a great player.
"To win the World Cup, win the European Cup and to have the career he had, he was a fantastic player.
"He was a great person, had time for everybody and he did a lot of charity work."
He continued: "It's really important that you have icons like him heading up the front of the club.
"For me, when I first came to Manchester United as record signing, he was the first person once I signed the contract to come up and say 'look enjoy it, it's a really good club Bryan and enjoy your time here'."
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