MANCHESTER, England : Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag laid a wreath in the centre of the storied Old Trafford pitch on Tuesday in a stirring tribute to club great Bobby Charlton ahead of their Champions League group-stage match against FC Copenhagen.
Ten Hag, who has called Charlton a"leader" and a"giant," Charlton's former team mate Alex Stepney, and Under 19s team captain Dan Gore followed a lone piper playing"The Red Flag" on to the pitch.
"We love you Sir Bobby... a hero to millions, the finest English footballer the world has ever seen. You will live on in our hearts forever," the public address announcer said, before asking for a minute's silence.Hours before kick-off, fans flocked to Old Trafford's Trinity Statue of Charlton, George Best and Denis Law - the trio of former United greats - waiting in line to carefully add bouquets and scarves to the hundreds already encircling the statue's base.