Manchester unites for Sir Bobby Charlton funeral as fans flood streets to pay respects

Charlton is being celebrated at Manchester Cathedral on Monday.

And fans have flooded the streets of the city to pay tribute to the 1966 World Cup winner.

WATCH NOW: Fans pay respects to Sir Bobby

Many stood around the Holy Trinity statue outside Old Trafford, with young players dressed in black suits with matching ties.

Supporters wearing the club's red colours were also spotted, with everybody behaving respectfully as they mourned the loss of one of their greatest-ever players.

Charlton was a huge asset to United during his playing days.

He fired the club to three First Division titles, as well as the European Cup in 1968.

Charlton did that just 10 years after surviving the Munich Air Disaster, in which 23 people tragically lost their lives after an accident on the runway.

Prominent figures from the sporting world are attending the funeral of the United legend.

Former managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have arrived, with the duo both knowing Charlton well due to their long stints at the club.

United chief Richard Arnold, as well as former CEOS David Gill, Martin Edwards and Ed Woodward, are there.

Current players Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton will pay their respects as well.

Other stars are currently absent due to international commitments, while Erik ten Hag has sent his regrets due to an unbreakable and long-standing personal commitment in the Netherlands.

Ex-players Alex Stepney, Paddy Crerand, 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, Peter Schmeichel, Andrew Cole, Roy Keane, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Wes Brown, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Ashley Young are also on the attending list.

And Prince William has arrived in a smart black suit, with the Prince of Wales president of the Football Association.

Non-United former players who will be at the ceremony include Gary Lineker, Mike Summerbee, Ian Callaghan and Alan Kennedy.

And Emilio Butragueno, Ferran Soriano and Mark Noble will be in attendance as representatives of Real Madrid, Manchester City and West Ham.

The Glazer family won't be at the celebrations of Charlton's life, however.

The United owners have decided to stay away because they don't want to be a 'distraction' on a big day for the club.

Joel and Avram Glazer have been widely criticised for the way they have ran United over the past 18 years.

And they didn't want to become the centre of attention while fans come together to remember Charlton.

United have released a statement saying they expect over 1,000 guests to pay their respects to Charlton.

"It is expected that up to 1,000 guests will attend the cathedral to pay their respects to Sir Bobby and celebrate his incredible life as a husband, father, grandfather and, of course, as one of the finest footballers this country has ever produced," they wrote.

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"The Charlton family and Manchester United would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and respect towards Sir Bobby."

Charlton's family have requested donations in lieu of flowers to a series of charities close to the former footballer's heart.

These include the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation, the Children's Adventure Farm Trust, the Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer's UK.

Charlton made 758 appearances for United during a successful 17-year playing career.

He also netted 249 goals - and only Rooney has bagged more for the club.