Fan-led Manchester United organisation The 1958 insisted that it came as “no real surprise” that the Glazer family did not attend the funeral of Sir Bobby Charlton.
Charlton passed away in October at the age of 86 and United fans were left mourning the death of a legendary club figure.
The 1966 World Cup winner was laid to rest on Monday, with around 1,000 mourners paying their respects to Charlton at his funeral.
United fans at Old Trafford applauded during the funeral cortege before it made its way to Manchester Cathedral.
The full list of 57 attendees at Charlton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral included the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ed Woodward, Richard Arnold and Martin Edwards.
However, United’s controversial owners the Glazers were not present for the funeral and their lack of attendance sparked fury among club supporters.
READ MORE: Ashley Young sends classy message after attending Sir Bobby Charlton funeral
The 1958’s statement on the Glazers’ absence
According to The Daily Star, the Glazers wanted to ensure that ‘all the focus [was] to be on Charlton’ and did not ‘want to make unwanted headlines.’
The newspaper added that United’s owners were aware of the ‘risk of getting abuse from supporters’ and how it could take away from the importance of the funeral.
However, The 1958 has slammed the Glazers for failing to make a public statement on the day of Charlton’s funeral and blasted their absence from the event as well.
“It comes as no real surprise that no-one from the Glazer family appears to have bothered paying their respects at the funeral of arguably our greatest ever player,” reads the statement.
“The Glazers have proved time and again they are alienated from the football club and fan base and this is just another shameful example.
“I think we can speak for the majority of the fan base that we are glad they did not cause any unwelcome distractions.
“They would not have been welcome for a man who embodied all that is good at our club. Honour, integrity and dignity.
“However, it is disappointing there has been no public statement from them today or about the sad passing of Lady Cathy [Ferguson, Sir Alex’s wife].”
The 1958 is right on United’s owners
While the Glazers’ absence did prevent any controversy from happening at Charlton’s funeral, their absence from such a huge moment is also a bad look for them.
The Glazers will always be in a lose-lose situation with United fans — and rightfully so — but failing to make a statement on the day didn’t help their case either.
It would have been right for the Glazers to send someone to represent them at the funeral, especially due to Charlton’s status within the Premier League club.
The 1958’s statement will no doubt echo the sentiments of many United fans, who have voiced their dissent towards the Glazers’ ownership of the club for a long time.