Erik ten Hag said he is expecting a ‘special’ atmosphere against Copenhagen as Manchester United commemorate club legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
It was announced that Sir Bobby Charlton had passed away, aged 86, at the weekend with football paying tribute to one of the greats of the English game.
Charlton scored 249 goals in 758 appearances for Manchester United and won the Ballon d’Or in 1966 after helping England to World Cup success on home soil.
United host Danish side Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, as the Red Devils look to get their campaign back on track after consecutive European defeats. Ten Hag is anticipating a ‘special’ atmosphere as United celebrate the life of a club icon.
“It’s always special at Old Trafford – every match. The fans are always behind us,” Ten Hag said at his pre-match press conference.
“Remember the last game, the home game against Brentford: even when the game is not going in our direction, they stayed behind us. In difficult moments, moments of adversity around Manchester United, the fans are still with us and we are with the fans. We are fighting together.
“Definitely tomorrow after the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, their hero, the legend, the giant, I’m sure they will be even more emotional, I expect.”
On the atmosphere at the club since the news of Charlton’s death, the Dutchman added: “Bobby was a legend – a giant not only for Manchester United, but for football.
“So his legacy, what he left were the standards, the high standards. We have to live it every day. First of all our thoughts are with his family, his wife, his children, his grandchildren, but also what he meant for Manchester United, and the standards he set. The last couple of days, they were emphasised.”
