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"This is the One": How Mani's love of Manchester United shaped his life and career

“I’m a vehemently Man United supporting guy and that’s been the case since the day I was conceived. It was never going to be any other way."

For Gary Mounfield, known to the world as Mani, United were part of his DNA. He said it was 'pre-ordained' he would be brought up to support them, as all his family were Reds.

The Crumpsall-born and Failsworth-raised Manchester music icon was the son of Colin Mounfield, a 'nuts' United fan who had watched them lift the European Cup at Wembley in 1968.

"My dad wanted to call me Matthew Busby but my mum put a kibosh on that" Mani told Talksport in 2020.

A chef, Colin is said to have been friends with George Best and cooked for the United players at the restaurant where he worked.

Mani at the premiere of a film about United legend Bryan Robson, in 2021 -Credit:KBP

It was then fate that, alongside his love of music, football, and more specifically United, became Mani's other key passion.

The Stone Roses bassist, whose bandmates Ian Brown and John Squire are also Reds, was a regular not just at Old Trafford, but at United games up and down the country, and across Europe.

“I’ve been to every virtually every cup final they’ve been to over the years" he said to TalkSport.

He famously sold his prized scooter so he could attend the 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona, where the Reds completed their historic treble.

Mani (second from the left) with ex-United players Gary Neville (centre left), David May (right) and well known United fan Pete Boyle (centre right). Also pictured is the Charlatans' Mark Collins (left), The Courteeners Liam Fray (second from left) and David May's son Seb. Taken backstage at a Charlatans gig at the Albert Hall in 2018 -Credit:Pete Boyle

"It was infinitely worth it" he later told the club magazine. He also attended the club's next Champions League triumph, in Moscow in 2008, even though his then-band Primal Scream were in rehearsals at the time.

“I always wanted the Roses to be associated with United and the terraces,” Mani once told the club website.

The club started playing 'This is the One', from the Roses' legendary debut album, as the players emerged from the tunnel.

Gary Neville claims he chose it as the club's new walkout music in 2005. And it is still used to this day. "It continued to make him proud when attending fixtures with his family" United said, after his death was confirmed on Thursday, aged 63.

United launched a range of Stone Roses-themed wear last year -Credit:MEN Media

"'This is the One' has stood the test of time because it's a great song,” Neville said last year. “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.

“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.”

David Beckham and son Brooklyn pose backstage with Mani and Ian Brown from The Stone Roses following their gig at the Etihad Stadium in 2016 -Credit:Daily Record

And last year, he saw United launch a range of Roses-themed United training and leisure wear.

Before the Roses played a run of gig at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, following their reunion five years earlier, Mani joked he was going to wear a different United shirt on stage every night.

He said he wanted to wear shirts to honour George Best, Gordon Hill, Steve Coppell, and Eric Cantona.

"I’m a massive United fan, so it won’t come as a surprise that I want to wear the badge" he told the Mirror.

He never went through with it, though Ian Brown did dedicate 'This is the One' to David Beckham, who was in attendance on the opening night.

Mani sold his prized scooter so he could go to the 1999 Champions League final -Credit:Manchester Evening News

Despite his well-documented allegiances, Mani was just as popular with the Blue side of Manchester.

Blues fanatics Liam and Noel Gallagher were among his friends. However, he occasionally couldn't resist a dig at his pals.

“I’ve been to four Champions League finals, none of the Gallagher brothers can say that, can they?" he told Talksport in 2020. "I’ve seen them win the European Super Cup, UEFA Cup, Cup Winners Cup, every domestic trophy known to man.

“The only thing I haven’t seen them win is the World Club Championships. After that, we’ll get on Elon Musk’s happy bus to Mars and see what the martians are saying.”

Mani was among the mourners at City fan Ricky Hatton's funeral last month, and could be seen movingly touching the boxing icon's sky blue coffin, emblazoned with the City badge, after leaving the service at Manchester Cathedral.

Mani with Liam Gallagher at Ricky Hatton's funeral last month -Credit:Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News

Mani's love for the Reds never wavered. "Since my late father departed" Mani told Reds fanzine United We Stand, last year, "I have flown the flag."

He performed a DJ set at the United fanzone ahead of their Europa League final clash with Tottenham in Bilbao in May.

In a tribute to him on the club website, United said he was 'a lifelong Red and friend of the club.'

They said: "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."

Adding: "A part of Manchester’s history, Mani will be sadly missed by everybody who knew and loved him. The club’s thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

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