Manchester United are set to pay tribute to former Stone Roses bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield when Rúben Amorim’s Reds host Everton, who passed on Thursday.
Mani was a lifelong Red and, to him, like so many other Mancunians, football was everything.
Mani was the embodiment of what a Manchester United fan should be – loyal, passionate and proud. If you cut him open, he bled United.
The Manchester icon shot to stardom in the 1980s and 90s, most notably with Manchester music royalty, The Stone Roses.
The rise of The Roses was meteoric, almost mesmeric. That was largely down to Mani’s beguiling basslines that left you frozen with fascination. His brilliance inspired generations.
‘This Is the One’’s affiliation with United
When Gary Neville took over captaincy at United, he requested a change of song at The Theatre of Dreams. He said: “’This Is the One’ has stood the test of time because it’s a great song. That’s it first and foremost, and that album is legendary.”
“You can have good times and bad times. But still, every United fan that walks over that forecourt into that stadium has a dream and hope that they’re going to see something special. The song that’s played in the tunnel is the start of that moment.”
“Authenticity is everything in this city, and we’ve got great musicians and great songs, and that one is perfect for Old Trafford.”
The Roses’ music has inspired matchday culture over the years, including chants and fashion, which wasn’t lost on Mani. “I always wanted the Roses to be associated with United and the terraces,” he said.
Memorable moments as a Red and United to hold a tribute for Mani
Famously, the Crumpsall-born musician sold his prized scooter to attend the 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona, underlining his commitment to United.
“It was infinitely worth it,” he said years later. United are planning a tribute for Mani in their game tomorrow night against Everton.
According to The Sun, a club source confirmed that “there will be some words and music as a tribute during the build-up to kick-off, including the usual playing of This Is the One.” But on this occasion, it will be paired with poignancy.
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For a lifelong Red like Mani, there was no greater stage than Old Trafford. And as This Is the One plays in his memory, its lyric “Immerse me in your splendour” will resonate like never before.
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