Erik ten Hag has told his Manchester United players they must channel their emotions following the death of club great Sir Bobby Charlton when they face Copenhagen in a must-win UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday night.
United are in mourning after World Cup winner Charlton died aged 86 on Saturday, and The Hag opened Monday’s press conference with a minute’s silence at the club’s Carrington training ground.
The Hag cited Charlton as an inspiration to his players in Saturday’s 2-1 win away to Sheffield United, which was scored by Diogo Dalot’s late winner, but Tuesday’s game will be United’s first home game since Charlton’s death, a chance to pay tribute beyond. playground.
“Sir Bobby was a legend, a giant not just for Manchester United but for football,” said Ten Hag.
“The legacy he left for standards, high standards, we have to live every day. Of course, first of all we think of his family, his wife, children and grandchildren.
“But that’s also what he meant to Manchester United, his importance to Manchester United. The standards he set we must live up to and have been highlighted in the last few days…
“We’re professionals and it’s our job, but you can’t ban emotions. You use emotions in the right way.”
United certainly need a win after opening their Group A campaign with defeats to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, the first time they have started a European campaign with back-to-back defeats.
“We have to win every game,” Ten Hag said. “If you see the group, if you lose the first two games, you definitely have to win.
Dalot’s powerful strike at Bramall Lane drew comparisons with some of Charlton’s goals, something the Portugal international said he was honored to be told.
“I was lucky enough to know him from the moment I came to the club,” said Dalot.
“He was always there after the game, no matter if we won or lost the game, he was always there ready to give you a word of appreciation or sometimes to say we need to play a little bit better.
“He represented the standards for this club and the standards we wanted for this club.
Although they managed to pull out a win, United were once again far from their best in Saturday’s win over the Blades, with social media awash with fan grumbling amid a pedestrian start to the campaign.
But the Hag said he continues to feel solid support from the fans at Old Trafford and expects a special atmosphere on Tuesday night.
“Every night at Old Trafford is always special, the fans are always behind us,” said the Dutchman.
“I remember the last game, the home game against Brentford, even though the game is not going our way, they stayed behind us in the difficult times and the bad times around Manchester United, the fans are still with us and we are with the fans, we are fighting together.
“Certainly tomorrow with the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, their hero, their legend, their giant, I’m sure tomorrow will be an even more emotional night.”
The game also promises to be a special occasion for United striker Rasmus Hojlund, a 20-year-old summer signing who came through the ranks at home club Copenhagen, where his younger brothers Emil and Oscar still play.
“You know it’s a special game for him,” Ten Hag said of the player who has scored three times in two Champions League games for United so far.
“He has grown up at the club and you know he will be highly motivated. It’s for me, for the team, but of course above all for him, to use it in the right direction, the right balance.”
Leave a comment