Erik ten Hag Walks the Pitch with a Bagpipe Player as Man United Pay Tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton
- 6 months ago
Erik ten Hag led the tributes to Sir Bobby Charlton during Tuesday's match against FC Copenhagen as he walked out from the tunnel with a bagpipe player - before laying a wreath on the side of the pitch in honor of the United legend.
United are facing the Danish outfit in the Champions League just three days after Sir Bobby - who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace the game - passed away at the age of 86 following a battle with dementia.
The gifted footballer was born in Ashington, Northumberland, on October 11, 1937, and played an integral role in England's 1966 World Cup glory. He made 758 appearances for United while also earning 106 caps for his beloved country and has a stand named after him at Old Trafford.
And ahead of kick-off, the club held a special pre-match tribute to Sir Bobby which ended with a minute's silence.
As the players gathered in the center circle, Ten Hag emerged from the tunnel behind the bagpipe player.
He was joined on either side by former United goalkeeper Alex Stepney, who was a team-mate of Sir Bobby at the club, and youth team captain Dan Gore.
Ten Hag laid the wreath in the center circle as a minute's silence was observed before he moved it to the side of the pitch.
A singular bagpipe player coming out onto the Old Trafford pitch has been seen before back in 2008 on the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster when United faced Man City.
It was also seen during the first game at the ground following Sir Matt Busby's passing when they faced Everton in January 1994.
A wreath was also placed on Sir Bobby's seat in the Director's Box, while he was remembered on the front cover of the Matchday program.
Players and staff of both sides similarly wore black armbands in memory of the United legend, while Copenhagen supporters could be heard singing 'One Bobby Charlton' ahead of kick-off in what was a nice touch, and they also unfurled a banner that read: 'Rest in peace, Sir Bobby Charlton.'
Several supporters also paid tribute to Sir Bobby outside Old Trafford ahead of kick-off.
It comes after he was commemorated at United's UEFA Youth League fixture on Tuesday afternoon before the Under 19 side lost 1-0 against their Copenhagen counterparts.
Meanwhile, both Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand paid tribute to the United legend when working pitchside for TNT Sports.
Ferdinand said: 'He was just a fantastic human being first and foremost. A wonderful football player but the way that he carried himself as a human being was the thing that stood out for me above everything.
'The football club ran through his veins. He just loved this football club like not many I've ever seen before.
'If you look at his life and what he achieved: Ballon d'Or winner, World Cup winner, European Cup winner. He won multiple trophies here, (yet) he still gave you so much time.
'I had special moments with him at different times of my career here. He had a real calming voice and influence and he was so
United are facing the Danish outfit in the Champions League just three days after Sir Bobby - who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace the game - passed away at the age of 86 following a battle with dementia.
The gifted footballer was born in Ashington, Northumberland, on October 11, 1937, and played an integral role in England's 1966 World Cup glory. He made 758 appearances for United while also earning 106 caps for his beloved country and has a stand named after him at Old Trafford.
And ahead of kick-off, the club held a special pre-match tribute to Sir Bobby which ended with a minute's silence.
As the players gathered in the center circle, Ten Hag emerged from the tunnel behind the bagpipe player.
He was joined on either side by former United goalkeeper Alex Stepney, who was a team-mate of Sir Bobby at the club, and youth team captain Dan Gore.
Ten Hag laid the wreath in the center circle as a minute's silence was observed before he moved it to the side of the pitch.
A singular bagpipe player coming out onto the Old Trafford pitch has been seen before back in 2008 on the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster when United faced Man City.
It was also seen during the first game at the ground following Sir Matt Busby's passing when they faced Everton in January 1994.
A wreath was also placed on Sir Bobby's seat in the Director's Box, while he was remembered on the front cover of the Matchday program.
Players and staff of both sides similarly wore black armbands in memory of the United legend, while Copenhagen supporters could be heard singing 'One Bobby Charlton' ahead of kick-off in what was a nice touch, and they also unfurled a banner that read: 'Rest in peace, Sir Bobby Charlton.'
Several supporters also paid tribute to Sir Bobby outside Old Trafford ahead of kick-off.
It comes after he was commemorated at United's UEFA Youth League fixture on Tuesday afternoon before the Under 19 side lost 1-0 against their Copenhagen counterparts.
Meanwhile, both Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand paid tribute to the United legend when working pitchside for TNT Sports.
Ferdinand said: 'He was just a fantastic human being first and foremost. A wonderful football player but the way that he carried himself as a human being was the thing that stood out for me above everything.
'The football club ran through his veins. He just loved this football club like not many I've ever seen before.
'If you look at his life and what he achieved: Ballon d'Or winner, World Cup winner, European Cup winner. He won multiple trophies here, (yet) he still gave you so much time.
'I had special moments with him at different times of my career here. He had a real calming voice and influence and he was so