Erik ten Hag vows Sir Bobby Charlton’s ‘inspirational’ spirit will be with Man United during their must-win Champions League clash with Copenhagen

• Football is in mourning after Sir Bobby Charlton died aged 86 on Saturday
• Manchester United are preparing to honour the legend ahead Tuesday’s kick-off 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Erik ten Hag says the spirit of Sir Bobby Charlton will be with Manchester United on an emotionally charged occasion at Old Trafford on Tuesday night when they play there for the first time since the club legend passed away.

United face FC Copenhagen in the Champions League having lost their opening two fixtures in Group A. Ten Hag admitted it’s a must-win game, but there is the far wider significance of honouring Charlton, who died in the early hours of Saturday at the age of 86.

The two teams will wear black armbands and lay wreaths before kick-off, and there is a planned minute’s silence. United also called for silence before Ten Hag’s press conference at Carrington on Monday lunchtime.

The Trinity statue is a symbol of Charlton’s enduring legacy at United, and Ten Hag said: ‘He is in front of Old Trafford with Denis Law and George Best. He is always with us and they are always a huge inspiration for us every day in every game.

‘Bobby was a legend, a giant, not only for Manchester United but for football. So his legacy, the high standards, we have to live every day. What he meant for Manchester United, and the standards he set, they were emphasised in the last couple of days.

Erik ten Hag has vowed that the spirit of Sir Bobby Charlton (above) will be with Manchester United during their must-win Champions League clash against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday

The Manchester United legend and World Cup winner passed away aged 86 on Saturday

Red Devils manager Ten Hag said that his side ‘want to win as a tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton’

‘It is always special, every night at Old Trafford. The fans are always so behind us. Remember the last home game against Brentford: even when the game is not going in our direction, they stayed behind us in difficult moments.

‘In moments of adversity the fans are still with us and fighting. Definitely, tomorrow after the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, their hero, the legend who died, will be more emotional.

‘First, we want to win as a tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, but also you want always to do that in a certain way, and that is what we are aiming for. It is not always possible in football. You don’t always play that well but you have to find a way to win. I was happy on Saturday with the second goal.’

Sitting alongside Ten Hag at Carrington was Diogo Dalot who scored that goal, curling home from 25 yards to secure a 2-1 win at Sheffield United.

Charlton was more of an exponent of power in his shots, but Dalot was honoured that comparisons were made with arguably United greatest ever player.

‘It’s a big privilege when you compare Sir Bobby’s goals and they relate to a goal of your own,’ said Dalot.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Fans visited the icon’s statue in droves this weekend to pay their respects outside Old Trafford

Meanwhile, Diogo Dalot added that Sir Bobby Charlton ‘represents the standards of the club’

Bruno Fernandes placed a wreath on the pitch at Bramall Lane in honour of the Red Devils and England legend, as Manchester United triumphed 2-1 against Sheffield United on Saturday

‘I was fortunate enough to get to know him since I arrived at the club. He was always there after the games with us. If we won the game or lost the game, he was always there to give you a word of appreciation.

‘At times he would even say we had to play a little bit better, but that he represents the standards of this club. It’s something we have to look back and say if legends like this won the best titles, won the best games, scored the best goals, we have to follow in those steps.

‘When I arrived here, I always tried to know a little more about the history of the club, whether it was close history or longer history. Hearing about Sir Bobby was something you had to have, if you were here for one day or several years.

‘You know him and this type of legend is someone you should follow. Not just the impact on English football but world football. He was an example for someone like me who likes to follow good examples. He will be present on me for the rest of my career.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

Your browser does not support iframes.

Source: Read Full Article