Scanlon, 74, who died last month, was in the squad alongside Charlton with both surviving the 1958 Munich air disaster which tore the heart out of Sir Matt Busby's young United team. Charlton joined other Munich survivors Harry Gregg and Bill Foulkes, along with fellow United greats Denis Law and Nobby Stiles, to pay their last respects to Scanlon. Scanlon's extended family were joined by around 300 mourners for the funeral service at All Souls Church in Weaste, Salford. Charlton said the good wishes from everyone at United went to the family. He said when he first came to the club Manchester-born Scanlon befriended him, showed him around the area and took him to his own home for a meal. "He was so kind and generous," he added. On the pitch Charlton was number 11 and Scanlon number 10 playing on the wing, he said. "He had a gift, he had blistering pace. He was sensational when he was on song." Charlton also brought laughter from mourners as he described Scanlon as also "inconsistent" - regularly "roasting" his opposing full-back, then smashing the ball into touch. Charlton said Scanlon could have played for England but after the air crash his game did not progress and he eventually retired from football. He also brought laughter from mourners while telling a story about Scanlon when they were playing at Old Trafford and anxious about the score from another game involving Crystal Palace, who United needed to lose. At half-time Scanlon told him Palace were losing 1-0. Exasperated, Charlton questioned his team-mate, asking if he got the information by taking the time to check the stadium scoreboard while they were playing their own game. "Yes," Scanlon replied, before adding: "Do you need any other scores?" Charlton added: "Albert was, without question, a Busby Babe through and through. I always have fond memories of him, certainly the fans will remember him." Scanlon, a boyhood Manchester City fan, made his debut for Busby's first team in 1954 and was a title winner in 1956 and 1957, before he was on the ill-fated flight from Belgrade to Manchester following a European Cup match in February 1958. When the plane crashed after refuelling in Munich eight players and 15 other passengers and crew lost their lives. Scanlon himself suffered severe head injuries but went on to play for United the next season, scoring 16 goals. Following his death, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to him as a "pleasant and delightful man" who would be a "great loss". Father Shaun Braiden told mourners the Busby Babes had made Manchester United what they are today. He added: "We honour Albert today as a legend, because his story is that which legends are really made off, all the ingredients are present. "For the moment a true red has come marching in, but the real saints are bidding him 'Welcome."' Earlier, Scanlon's funeral cortege paused underneath the famous Munich memorial at Old Trafford, where tens of thousands had marvelled at the players' skill. The funeral service ended with the traditional football hymn, Abide with Me, before a private internment with close family and friends.
