Rio Ferdinand calls on Manchester United players to feed off crowd atmosphere on emotional Champions League game as Old Trafford remembers Sir Bobby Charlton

• Manchester United face Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday
• Old Trafford is set for a minutes silence in memory of Sir Bobby Charlton 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’

Rio Ferdinand has called on Manchester United’s players to thrive off the atmosphere on what promises to be an emotional evening on Tuesday as Old Trafford pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton.

Erik ten Hag’s side take on Copenhagen in the Champions League, having lost their two opening games and anything less than three points will leave United with an uphill battle to qualify from the group stage.

‘You have to use certain things and emotionally, this is a great opportunity in a situation like this where there’s so much emotion involved,’ said Ferdinand. ‘Sir Bobby was someone who meant so much to the football club and football, in general. They (the players) have to use this as a lifting power tomorrow and feed off that.’

Fans have flocked to Old Trafford to pay their tributes since Sir Bobby died at the age of 86 on Saturday and a special pre-match tribute is planned for Tuesday night with a minute’s silence before kick-off. 

A wreath will also be placed on Sir Bobby’s seat in the Director’s Box while the England World Cup winner will also be on the cover of the matchday programme.

Rio Ferdinand has called on United’s players to feed off the Old Trafford emotional atmosphere

Sir Bobby Charlton, a Manchester United and England icon was famous in the football world

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‘Manchester United held Sir Bobby in such high esteem’ Ferdinand said to TNT Sports. ‘All the fans, young or old – when you talk about the club to a young person I’m sure he’s one of the names which rolls off (tongue) when you’re talking about the history. 

‘He’s been there at so many of the club’s momentous moments, good and bad, tragic and great. The atmosphere in the stadium will be electric for all the right reasons, celebrating someone so dear to the football club.’

Ten Hag said that United will look to seek inspiration from the club’s Holy Trinity of George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton, with three home games in eight days, including the Manchester derby.

‘He (Sir Bobby) is in front of Old Trafford with Denis Law and George Best,’ said Ten Hag. ‘He is always with us. They are always a huge inspiration for us every day and every game.’

And Ferdinand defended Ten Hag insisting that the United manager deserves time, despite United losing six of their 12 games so far this season, citing the range of off-field factors he has had to deal with as unparalleled.

‘In Ten Hag’s defence, I don’t know any manager that has come into a job this big or any management job actually and had as much to deal with off the pitch. Forget on the pitch. 

‘Even the takeover stuff. Pep (Guardiola) and Klopp haven’t had to do that. Most of their difficult moments are on the pitch,’ said the former United and England defender. 

‘The amount of scrutiny this guy is under but you have to remember that he’s having to think about all these other things away from the tactics and the actual football. It’s hard.’

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