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Sir Bobby Charlton was remembered by the club he loved as Manchester United paid an emotional tribute to him at their first home match since the World Cup winner died. The jewel in the crown for club and country, the news of the England great’s death on Saturday reverberated around the world and devastated all connected to Old Trafford. Charlton survived the trauma of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster and went on to lift the European Cup a decade later, scoring 249 goals over 758 appearances for United during 17 years at the club as a player. There were expressions of remembrance during Saturday’s win at Sheffield United but the Champions League game against Copenhagen provided the chance for the entire club to pay a fitting tribute as they returned home. “There’s only one Bobby Charlton” echoed around Old Trafford long before kick-off on Tuesday, with the teams emerging to the traditional continental competition fanfare before the stadium announcer paid his respects. Then, with teams lined-up around the centre circle, the crowd fell silent as a piper emerged from the tunnel playing “We’ll never die”. United boss Erik ten Hag, former team-mate Alex Stepney and youth-team captain Dan Gore followed, going on to lay a wreath at the halfway line before before a minute’s silence was held. As the hosts paid tribute to Charlton, Copenhagen’s fans had unveiled a banner that read: “Passion is what separates the good from the great. Rest in peace Sir Bobby Charlton.” Charlton’s seat in the directors’ box - which is situated in heart of the stand that has carried his name since 2016 - was empty aside from a wreath placed there in his honour. Players and staff all wore black armbands on an evening that saw the matchday programme feature the “ultimate ambassador for Manchester United” on its cover. Outside the ground, the bundles of flowers, scarves, shirts and messages at the ‘United Trinity’ statue continue to grow by the hour. Charlton, Denis Law and George Best are immortalised in front of the East Stand, which was decorated to read ‘Sir Bobby Charlton. Forever Loved’ between pictures of him in his playing days and latter years. United players past and present have signed the book of condolence and paid their respects at the statue since his death, including 1968 European Cup team-mate Stepney. Read More Manchester United remember Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of Champions League clash Watch: FC Copenhagen fans chant ‘There’s only one Bobby Charlton’ at Old Trafford Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen LIVE: Latest Champions League updates Man United fans cover Bobby Charlton statue with flowers and scarves ahead of match Man Utd can take inspiration from Sir Bobby Charlton on must-win night Erik ten Hag expecting emotional night at Old Trafford after Bobby Charlton’s death

Sir Bobby Charlton was remembered by the club he loved as Manchester United paid an emotional tribute to him at their first home match since the World Cup winner died. The jewel in the crown for club and country, the news of the England great’s death on Saturday reverberated around the world and devastated all connected to Old Trafford. Charlton survived the trauma of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster and went on to lift the European Cup a decade later, scoring 249 goals over 758 appearances for United during 17 years at the club as a player. There were expressions of remembrance during Saturday’s win at Sheffield United but the Champions League game against Copenhagen provided the chance for the entire club to pay a fitting tribute as they returned home. “There’s only one Bobby Charlton” echoed around Old Trafford long before kick-off on Tuesday, with the teams emerging to the traditional continental competition fanfare before the stadium announcer paid his respects. Then, with teams lined-up around the centre circle, the crowd fell silent as a piper emerged from the tunnel playing “We’ll never die”. United boss Erik ten Hag, former team-mate Alex Stepney and youth-team captain Dan Gore followed, going on to lay a wreath at the halfway line before before a minute’s silence was held. As the hosts paid tribute to Charlton, Copenhagen’s fans had unveiled a banner that read: “Passion is what separates the good from the great. Rest in peace Sir Bobby Charlton.” Charlton’s seat in the directors’ box – which is situated in heart of the stand that has carried his name since 2016 – was empty aside from a wreath placed there in his honour. Players and staff all wore black armbands on an evening that saw the matchday programme feature the “ultimate ambassador for Manchester United” on its cover. Outside the ground, the bundles of flowers, scarves, shirts and messages at the ‘United Trinity’ statue continue to grow by the hour. Charlton, Denis Law and George Best are immortalised in front of the East Stand, which was decorated to read ‘Sir Bobby Charlton. Forever Loved’ between pictures of him in his playing days and latter years. United players past and present have signed the book of condolence and paid their respects at the statue since his death, including 1968 European Cup team-mate Stepney. “You can see that (impact) now and what I’ve got behind me,” the former goalkeeper told the PA news agency in front of the statue. “It’s just incredible. There’s three of them and we had this when George sadly passed and Bobby’s deservedly getting exactly the same moment.” Stepney looked understandably emotional as he spoke about Charlton, both the player and the man, shortly before he headed inside Old Trafford. “It’s been unbelievable, really,” the former goalkeeper said. “When I got the phone call on Saturday morning, you start thinking about the great man. “How he performed day in, day out, training, on the pitch. “He was very honest, great family man. That was an obvious thing about him. Humble. “When they opened the stand here for him, the South Stand, he had tears in his eyes. “I said to him ‘are you OK?’ and he said ‘I don’t deserve it’. I said ‘well, you deserve everything you get from every supporter, everybody throughout the world’. He deserves all of this.” Read More Sean Longstaff pinching himself after change in fortunes at Newcastle Manchester City ‘not used’ to artificial pitch but must adapt – Pep Guardiola World Rugby to launch new international competition from 2026 Simona Halep files appeal with CAS against four-year doping ban Just Stop Oil protesters sentenced for aggravated trespass over Lord’s stunt It helps a lot – Dejan Kulusevski says Spurs must make absence from Europe count

Pep Guardiola accepts Manchester City must adapt to the artificial surface they face in Switzerland this week – but claims “common sense” dictates grass is better. The holders will play on unfamiliar terrain in their latest Champions League outing on Wednesday when they take on Young Boys on their synthetic pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium. Guardiola insists there are no complaints on his part, and he has changed his team’s routine to ensure they are prepared. Normally City do not take up the option available to them of training at the stadium when they play away games in Europe, instead preferring to work in Manchester before travelling. However, on this occasion City flew to Bern on Tuesday morning and had a run out on the pitch in the evening. Yet the City manager could not hide the feeling that he would prefer to be playing on a natural surface. Speaking at a press conference, the Spaniard said: “It is what it is. If UEFA allows games to be played here it’s because it’s in good conditions. “That’s one of the reasons we never train away but this is an exception. This is why we travel in the morning for the players to feel how the ball runs, how to move left, right, backwards, forwards. That’s why. “We’ll try it and the players will know it immediately.” Asked if he was concerned about injuries, Guardiola said: “I don’t know – hopefully not, for both sides, but I don’t know. “We are not used to it. Any team that plays here is not used to it. It suits the Swiss league and, in the Champions League, the teams that come here have to adapt. “We will not be the first in this situation. We have to use it as a benefit but the grass is better.” Asked why, Guardiola said: “Because 99.9 per cent of the teams who play in a high level play on grass, otherwise UEFA and FIFA would decide to play on artificial pitches. It’s common sense, I would say.” City go into their third match in Group G looking to maintain their 100 per cent record after victories over Red Star Belgrade and RB Leipzig. Victory in their back-to-back games against Young Boys, who travel to the Etihad Stadium next month, could see City qualify for the knockout stages with two matches to spare. City have no fresh injury concerns, with long-term casualty Kevin De Bruyne their only notable absentee. Guardiola also played down concerns about the form of Jack Grealish, who is taking time to get back to his best after a month out with a dead leg. The City boss said: “I don’t have one doubt about Jack and his quality and what he has done for us since he arrived, especially last season. I’m calm and confident. He is an incredibly important player for us.” Read More Manchester United remember Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of Champions League clash Sean Longstaff pinching himself after change in fortunes at Newcastle World Rugby to launch new international competition from 2026 Simona Halep files appeal with CAS against four-year doping ban Just Stop Oil protesters sentenced for aggravated trespass over Lord’s stunt It helps a lot – Dejan Kulusevski says Spurs must make absence from Europe count

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Manchester United are in desperate need of a victory in this season’s Champions League and will hope to earn one when they take on FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford this evening. Erik ten Hag’s men slumped to a disappointing 3-2 defeat at home to Galatasary last time out in the European top flight and three points would keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive after two consecutive defeats. It’s set to be an emotional evening at Old Trafford in what their first home match since the passing of club legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who captained United to their first-ever European Cup in 1968. United will pay tribute to Charlton with a minute’s silence before the game, while a wreath will be on his seat in the directors’ box and players and staff will wear black armbands. Follow all the action below and get the latest odds and tips for the game right here:

Arsenal seemed to be in control of Group B following a convincing win over PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League opener but a shock 2-1 defeat to Lens at the start of October has left them with work to do to secure a place in the knockout rounds. Tonight they travel to Spain for the first of two consecutive matches against Sevilla which could determine whether Mikel Arteta’s side reach the next stage of the competition or not. The Europa League champions have two points from their opening two games but should they defeat the Gunners in Spain and at the Emirates, Arteta’s side will be on the brink of an early exit. Sevilla’s head coach, Diego Alonso, replaced Jose Luis Mendilibar during the international break due to Sevilla’s poor domestic record this year and earned his team a 1-1 home draw against Real Madrid on Saturday. Can he cause a similar upset against Arsenal this evening? Follow all the action from the Champions League below and get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:

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