Today, around 1,000 invited guests including members of Manchester United’s 1968 European Cup-winning team, players from the current first-team squad and leading sporting figures arrived at Manchester Cathedral to attend the ceremony.

The funeral cortège arrived at Old Trafford at about 13:30 and began its journey by travelling through a guard of honour made up of current Manchester United youth team players.

It paused at the Manchester United Trinity statue to allow fans to say goodbye.

The procession then headed to Manchester Cathedral for the service at 2pm UK time.

The ceremony at the cathedral will not be filmed or broadcast and will include eulogies and tributes from football personalities as well as a personal tribute from Charlton’s family.

The football legend died on the morning of October 21.

His family confirmed the news and said he was surrounded by his loved ones.

They said: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family,” they said in a statement.

“His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and to the many people who have loved and supported him. We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”