Michael Maher, a Manchester United supporter, attended Ricky Hatton’s funeral wearing a Manchester City shirt in honour of his friend, before visiting the Etihad Stadium to lay a wreath in Hatton’s memory. “I got married in June, went to Tenerife and was there with him,” Maher recalled tearfully. “He tried to take my wife off me!” he joked. “He told my father-in-law, ‘I’m your new son-in-law.’” Despite his usual football allegiance, Maher was one of thousands wearing City colours, while others