Erik ten Hag wants his players to channel their emotions when Manchester United take on FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday in their first home game since the death of club great Sir Bobby Charlton.
Charlton's death at the age of 86 was announced on Saturday hours before their game at Sheffield United that saw the Red Devils win 2-1 courtesy of a brilliant Diogo Dalot strike.
Now United take on FC Copenhagen in the Champions League group stage in what should be a highly-charged occasion as fans pay their respects to a player who made more than 750 appearances for the club, scoring 249 goals.
“Definitely,” said Ten Hag when asked whether victory would be fitting tribute to Charlton. “Firstly we want to win and pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton; you always want to do that in a certain way and that is what we are aiming for.
“Sir Bobby was a legend, a giant, not only for Manchester United but for football. The legacy that he left for standards, high standards, we have to live it every day.
“Of course first of all our thoughts are with his family, his wife, children and grandchildren.
“But it’s also what he meant for Manchester United, his importance for Manchester United. The standards he set, we have to live it and in the last couple of days they were emphasised.
“We are professionals and it is our job but you can't ban emotions. You use emotions in the right way.”
United are currently bottom of Group A having lost to both Bayern Munich and Galatasaray and need a victory to kick-start their European campaign.
Ten Hag insists he continues to feel the firm backing of the supporters inside Old Trafford, and expects a special atmosphere on Tuesday night.
“It's always special at Old Trafford – every match. The fans are always behind us,” he added.
“Remember the last game, the home game against Brentford: even when the game is not going in our direction, they stayed behind us.
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Sir Bobby Charlton, pictured here in his Manchester United playing days, has died aged 86. PA -
England's Charlton brothers, Jack, left, and Bobby at a pre-tournament function in 1966. PA -
England's Ray Wilson, right, and Bobby Charlton walk out before the 1966 World Cup final. PA -
Bobby Charlton, far right, looks on as Bobby Moore lifts up the Jules Rimet trophy after England's 1966 World Cup final triumph at Wembley. AP -
Manchester United's Bobby Charlton lifts the European Cup in 1968. PA -
Bobby Charlton and his bride, fashion model Norma Ball, leave St. Gabriel's church in Middleton, near Manchester, after their wedding on July 22, 1961. AP -
Bobby Charlton demonstrating his famous shooting technique in a Europe v Scandinavia exhibition match in 1975. AP -
Bobby Charlton, surrounded by his family, receives a medal at Buckingham Palace. AP -
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, right, alongside former Manchester United and England international Bobby Charlton in 1986. PA -
George Best, left, Brian Kidd, centre, and Bobby Charlton - part of the 1968 Manchester United European Cup winning team - are all reunited in Manchester in 1992. PA -
Sir Bobby Charlton of England, left, and Pele, of Brazil, embrace at an event in 1995. AP -
Sir Bobby Charlton, in 1998, lays a wreath to mark the 40th anniversary of the Munich Air crash. PA -
England legend Bobby Charlton playing for the Luis Figo foundation team in 2004. AP -
Sir Bobby Charlton helping make the 2009 Club World Cup draw in Abu Dhabi. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National -
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, holds the Ballon d'Or trophy, as former United players Denis Law, left, and Bobby Charlton, right, look on in 2008. AP -
Sir Bobby Charlton salutes the crowd as he takes his seat in the royal box on Centre Court to watch Spain's Rafael Nadal play in 2018. AFP
“In difficult moments, moments of adversity around Manchester United, the fans are still with us and we are with the fans. We are fighting together.
“Definitely tomorrow after the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, their hero, the legend, the giant, I’m sure they will be even more emotional, I expect.”
The game also promises to be a memorable occasion for United striker Rasmus Hojlund, the 20-year-old summer signing who came through the ranks at hometown club Copenhagen, where his younger brothers Emil and Oscar still play.
“You know it's a special game for him,” Ten Hag said of a player who has scored three in two Champions League appearances for United so far.
“He grew up at the club and you know he will be highly motivated. It's for me, for the team but especially of course for him to use that in the right direction, the right balance.”
United hope to have on-loan left-back Sergio Reguilon back after missing games due to injury and was due to return at the weekend only to pick up an illness. “He was fit, trained all last week and yesterday he was back in training,” said Ten Hag.
“Today he will train and we have to assess if he is ready and game-fit and if he can be involved in the squad. So we have to wait for that.”
