Sir Alex Ferguson was pictured in attendance ahead of the funeral service for one of Manchester United's most beloved icons.

Arriving alongside football executive David Gill, the Govan-born manager was among leading football figures in attendance at Manchester Cathedral to mourn Sir Bobby Charlton.

Thousands of fans turned out at Old Trafford on Monday to bid a final farewell to the 1966 World Cup winner.

Glasgow Times: Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill arrive ahead of the funeral service for Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral, Manchester.Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill arrive ahead of the funeral service for Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral, Manchester. (Image: PA)

The funeral cortege was welcomed with gentle applause as it drove past the stadium’s East Stand and the United Trinity statue, which features Charlton himself, George Best and Denis Law.

Representatives of the club’s under-18 and under-21 teams formed a guard of honour flanking the statue.

Behind it were numerous black and white photographs depicting Charlton’s long and illustrious career as a player and then a director at the club.

Glasgow Times: Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill arrive ahead of the funeral service for Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral, Manchester.Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill arrive ahead of the funeral service for Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral, Manchester. (Image: PA)

The cortege made its way across the stadium apron, lined by crowds three or four deep in places, before making a right turn out of the complex to continue its three-mile journey to Manchester Cathedral in the city centre.

Other invited guests included current first-teamers Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton and a host of former players – including some of Charlton’s old team-mates, England manager Gareth Southgate, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Football Association president, and Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano.

Glasgow Times: A view of The United Trinity Statue of Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best outside Old Trafford in Manchester during the funeral procession for the Manchester United and England great Sir Bobby Charlton who died aged 86 in October.A view of The United Trinity Statue of Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best outside Old Trafford in Manchester during the funeral procession for the Manchester United and England great Sir Bobby Charlton who died aged 86 in October. (Image: PA)

Charlton died aged 86 in October. The England great scored 249 goals for Manchester United, and helped them win three league titles, an FA Cup, and the European Cup in 1968.

At international level, he was a part of the England team which won the World Cup in 1966.