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Manchester United have paid moving tribute to Stone Roses star Gary 'Mani' Mounfield after the bassist and lifelong fan of the club died at the age of 63 this week.
Mounfield is believed to have died at his home in Heaton Moor Stockport after collapsing following a seizure, with family sources sharing that although an ambulance was called, he couldn't be revived.
The rock icon's death comes tragically just two years after the passing of his wife Imelda, who died after battling bowel cancer for three years.
Among those quick to pay tribute to the Manchester-born star were his band-mate, Stone Roses' lead singer Ian Brown, and Liam Gallagher, but one of the most poignant missives came from the club that he continued to keep close to his heart.
Sharing a message from Man United via their website, their statement read: 'Manchester United is deeply saddened by the news that Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, the much-loved bass player with The Stone Roses, has passed away aged 63.
'A lifelong Red and friend of the club, Mani rose to prominence as part of the seminal Manchester band of the 1980s and 1990s.
Lifelong Man United fan and Stone Roses star Gary 'Mani' Mounfield has died at the age of 63
The Manchester band hit the heights of their fame as Man United enjoyed an era of dominance
'Mani's music continues to be played at every Old Trafford matchday and most notably when 'This is the One' signals the teams walking out of the tunnel.
'It continued to make him proud when attending fixtures with his family. The club was part of his DNA and he was proud to be Red.'
The website went on to recount how Mounfield had sold his prized scooted to raise funds to watch his club claim the 1999 Champions League in Barcelona as part of their historic Treble-winning season.
More recently, Mounfield DJ'ed in the fan zone ahead of Ruben Amorim's side's Europa League final against Tottenham at the end of last season, a match he attended alongside his son Gene.
'I'm a Manc and support United,' Mounfield had previously told the club's magazine in an interview. 'It was pre-ordained because all my family are Reds - my dad is a nuts fan.
'He was involved in the club scene around town and he knew Besty (George Best).'
Mounfield added that he 'always wanted the Roses to be associated with United and the terraces'.
The musician lived to see his band's ties to the club underscored with a limited edition collaboration with both adidas and United last year, with Man United legend Gary Neville keen to stress their deep and inextricable ties.
Mounfield's passing comes just two years after the death of his late wife Imelda Mounfield
Last year saw Man United pair up with adidas and Stone Roses for a training kit collaboration
''This is the One' has stood the test of time because it's a great song,' Neville - who chose the song as walk-out music when he took over as club captain in 2005 -said in an interview with the club. 'That's it first and foremost, and that album is legendary.
'But Manchester United helps keep it alive every single week. I'm up there now on the gantry and that guitar starts to play, and that moment still gives you goosebumps,' he added.
'If you're a Manchester United fan and you hear that song, then you know it's time for the match to start.
'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.'
'That song should never, ever be moved from that position of being the song that Manchester United walk out to, you know?' he continued. 'For me, Manchester United is the one. That's it. Simple as that.
'The bond between the song 'This Is the One' and Manchester United cannot be broken. You cannot change that anymore.'
'There was a great vibe around the city when I was growing up,' Former Man United star Wes Brown added of the song. 'Everywhere you went, there was music, and The Stone Roses were a big part of it.
'I've met the band a few times... when I've seen Ian and Mani, it's good because it makes me put my Manc accent back on! They are great lads and massive United fans.
'For the players, the song means it's focus time and it makes you want to win. It's the first thing you hear when you go out and step on the pitch. You look at the lads around you and you want to go out and win the game, for the fans first of all.'
