Tributes were paid from players past and present when she died, including from the club’s all-time leading goal scorer Wayne Rooney, who described her as “the heart and soul of Manchester United”.

David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson, Ruben Amorim and Bruno Fernandes were among those to pay their respects to Manchester United's "one-woman institution" Kath Phipps

The funeral of long-serving Manchester United training ground receptionist Kath Phipps is set to take place in the city this afternoon. Ms Phipps, from Irlam in Salford, passed away last December at the age of 85.

David Beckham and his parents joined mourners at the funeral of Manchester United legend, Kath Phipps, on Monday.

Sir Alex Ferguson paid an emotional tribute to Kath Phipps at the beloved Manchester United receptionist’s funeral today, saying she will ‘without question’ be remembered as a club legend. Kath worked for United for over 55 years, having joined the Red Devils in 1968, initially as a switchboard operator.

It did feel a little bit like the old Manchester United coming out to pay its respects to Kath Phipps at Manchester Cathedral. Sir Alex Ferguson spoke about first encountering her at the Cliff training ground in 1986.

Sir Alex Ferguson, along with former and current Manchester United players like David Beckham, paid tribute to Kath Phipps, former club receptionist, at a funeral service on Monday.