Tributes are being paid to former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins, who has died aged 79.
Mr Watkins - described by Sir Alex Ferguson as a 'true gentleman' - passed away in the early hours of Monday after an illness.
One of the UK's best known sports lawyers, he was chairman of British Swimming and oversaw a new era in the sport that has seen Team GB's swimmers become a global force.
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Mr Watkins spent 28 years as a director at Old Trafford until 2012.
He famously brokered the deal to keep Sir Alex at the club after he had decided to quit - with fans chanting his nickname 'Mo' from the stands.
A father-of-four and step-father, Mr Watkins had battled prostate cancer for some years.
He lived in Cheshire with his partner, Elaine.
Paying tribute, Sir Alex told the Manchester Evening News : "Maurice was really supportive during my time as manager and great company.
"In my 26 years there were some rocky moments and he was always there with wise advice. He had great energy as well - involved in so many organisations.
"He was unflappable. During some tense games I'd look over and he would be calmly reading the programme.
"His legal experience was invaluable. When I called him to say I wanted to stay at United he said they had already sorted a new manager, but not to worry he would dig us out.
"And he did. He was a true gentleman."
In a statement, Manchester United said: "All at Manchester United are deeply saddened by the loss of our former director, Maurice Watkins, who served the club with such distinction for over a quarter of a century.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones at this time."
Mr Watkins is credited with navigating United through a legal and media minefield after Eric Cantona's infamous kick out at a Crystal Palace fan in 1995.
Every major deal at the Reds since 1976, when he first became involved at Old Trafford, until he stepped down from the board have involved the law expert, who was renowned and respected internationally throughout sport for his diplomatic and professional skills.
He was head of sport law for Brabners solicitors in Manchester.
But it wasn't just football.
Mr Watkins was interim chairman of the Rugby Football League in 2012; chairman of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain from 2009 to 2014; a director at Lancashire County Cricket Club; chairman of the European Swimming Legal Committee; a trustee of the Professional Footballers Pension Scheme and a former chairman of the British Basketball Federation.
He was also chairman of Barnsley Football Club for four years.
In 2014 Mr Watkins, a former pupil at Manchester Grammar School, was voted International Sports and Entertainment Lawyer of the Year at the Who's Who Legal Annual Awards in New York.
He helped raise more than £68 million for hospitals as chairman of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital charity appeals board and was made a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2011 for services to charity.
Mr Watkins met the Pope in Italy and Nelson Mandela in South Africa.
In a statement, British Swimming said it was 'saddened' to hear of his death.
He was appointed chairman in December 2012 after leaving Old Trafford and oversaw the development of a new, exciting era of aquatic sport in Britain.
British Swimming CEO, Jack Buckner, said: "I have been fortunate to experience Maurice's personal dignity and humility.
"He has been a leader of deep wisdom and patient intelligence, the wise steward at the heart of the sport.
"Even in his last days, his total focus was on Tokyo and the great events which unfolded there. Maurice, a piece of these medals belong to you.
"Thanks for your massive contribution to British Swimming and everything you have done for British sport."
Sally Munday, CEO of UK Sport, said: "I was so saddened to hear about Maurice. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
"Maurice was so well known in the sporting community and the sheer variety of sports that he was involved in throughout his life goes some way to showing the impact he had on the British sporting landscape. As chair of British Swimming, he must have been immensely proud of the success that Britain's aquatics athletes had in Tokyo in the recent weeks.
"He will be sorely missed."
