It is often said that professional footballers must blot out the emotion, but Erik ten Hag knows it will not be possible. Manchester United are a club in mourning and when they play their first game at Old Trafford since the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, it will be a time for all present to run the gamut of them.
Copenhagen are the visitors on Tuesday night for what is a must-win Champions League tie, but United’s thoughts are likely to be elsewhere in the buildup. It was certainly poignant when the club held a minute’s silence before Ten Hag’s press conference at Carrington on Monday lunchtime and so imagine how it will be when 73,000 bow their heads at kick-off after a special pre-match tribute; the power of the stillness, the depth of the contemplation. United are to open the turnstiles from 6pm and have encouraged supporters to take their seats early to pay their respects.
