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| Image via Facebook/ Manchester United |
Manchester United's first home game since Sir Bobby Charlton's passing is expected to be an emotional occasion for many at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening. Copenhagen, where Hojlund made his professional debut three years ago, is the club for whom Hojlund made his debut. The 4-3 and 3-2 defeats to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray in their opening two games in Champions League Group A have left United facing an uphill challenge to qualify for the knockout stages. However, Hojlund's three goals across those two matches were the most significant positive for the United manager, and now he will hope the man in whom the club have invested so much faith can deliver again and kick-start their European campaign.
United had tracked Hojlund's progress as a teenager in Copenhagen and continued to monitor his development at Sturm Graz in Austria. Instead of taking a punt on his potential last summer and using up cash already earmarked for other positions, United had watched him more intensely. By Christmas, with the player showing notable progression under Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini in Serie A, the Dane was fast emerging as a serious candidate for a problem position. United had also looked at Eintracht Frankfurt's France forward, Muani, for a while. Paris Saint-Germain ended up paying €95m for Muani after their advances for Hojlund were rebuffed, and United felt they got the better one.
Erik ten Hag has urged his Manchester United players to channel the spirit of Sir Bobby Charlton and deliver the perfect tribute to the club's legendary former captain by beating Copenhagen in style. After discussions with Charlton's family, United plans to hold a special pre-match tribute, concluding with a minute's silence before kick-off against Copenhagen. A wreath will be laid on Charlton's seat in the directors' box, and players and staff will wear black armbands as a mark of respect. Charlton will also be remembered on the front of the official match programme. A book of condolence will be available for supporters to leave their messages and memories in Old Trafford's international suite between 10 am and 4 pm on Tuesday and the remainder of the week.
Furthermore, United plans to hold a minute's applause before their Premier League match against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, featuring "expressions of fan remembrance with flags and surfer banners in the stadium." In moments of adversity around Manchester United, the fans are still with them, and they are fighting together. Diogo Dalot, whose stunning strike earned United a 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday, is eager to honour Charlton's memory with another victory.
Over 40,000 people from across 180 countries paid their respects to Charlton via an online book of condolence. Brian Kidd, Paddy Crerand, Gary Neville, and Wes Brown were among the 1,500 people who came to Old Trafford on Monday to pay their respects and share tributes to Charlton within the book of condolence.
