The former Manchester United and England star paid his respects to the Stone Roses legend
(Image: PA)
Sir David Beckham was seen movingly paying his respects to Mani today. The Manchester music legend, Gary Mounfield, died last month aged 63.
Former Manchester United and England star Sir David was among the mourners at the funeral of the Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, held at Manchester Cathedral today (Monday, December 22).
In a touching moment, after he left the service he was seen to approach the open hearse and touch Mani’s coffin, which was draped with a United scarf.
Sir David was joined by former United teammate Gary Neville at the service along with an array of famous faces from the world of music and beyond.
Gary Neville and Sir David Beckham arrive for Mani’s funeral
Mani, who was born in Crumpsall and raised in Moston and Failsworth, was a massive Manchester United fan. He was the son of Colin Mounfield, a hardcore Red who had watched them lift the European Cup at Wembley in 1968 and is said to have been friends with George Best.
Mani was a regular not just at Old Trafford, but at United games up and down the country, and across Europe. He famously sold his prized scooter so he could attend the 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona, where the Reds team including Sir David and Gary completed their historic treble. Stone Roses anthem ‘This is the One’ as the United players walk out of the tunnel at Old Trafford.
David Beckham and Ian Brown outside Manchester Cathedral(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)
Mani’s former bandmates, Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown and Primal Scream lead singer Bobby Gillespie, both spoke at the service.
His coffin, which was was decorated in the iconic artwork ‘Bye Bye, Badman’ painted by John Squire for the cover of the Stone Roses debut album, was carried out of the cathedral by Liam Gallagher and Mani’s former bandmates Ian Brown, John Squire and Alan ‘Reni’ Wren from the Stone Roses, and Bobby Gillespie and Andrew Innes from Primal Scream.
The service is being followed by a private committal and invite-only wake.