Erik ten Hag led the tributes to Sir Bobby Charlton during Tuesday’s match against FC Copenhagen as he walked out from the tunnel with a bagpipe player – before laying a wreath on the side of the pitch in honour of the United legend.

United are facing the Danish outfit in the Champions League just three days after Sir Bobby – who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace the game – passed away at the age of 86 following a battle with dementia. 

The gifted footballer was born in Ashington, Northumberland, on October 11, 1937 and played an integral role in England‘s 1966 World Cup glory.  He made 758 appearances for United while also earning 106 caps for his beloved country and has a stand named after him at Old Trafford.

And ahead of kick off, the club held a special pre-match tribute to Sir Bobby which ended with a minutes silence. 

As the players gathered in the centre circle, Ten Hag emerged from the tunnel behind the bagpipe player.

He was joined on either side by former United goalkeeper Alex Stepney, who was a team-mate of Sir Bobby at the club, and youth team captain Dan Gore.

Ten Hag laid the wreath in the centre circle as a minutes silence was observed before he moved it to the side of the pitch. 

A singular bagpipe player coming out onto the Old Trafford pitch has been seen before back in 2008 on the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster when United faced Man City.

It was also seen during the first game at the ground following Sir Matt Busby’s passing when they faced Everton in January 1994. 

A wreath was also placed on Sir Bobby’s seat within the Director’s Box, while he was remembered on the front cover of the matchday programme.

Players and staff of both sides similarly wore black armbands in memory of the United legend, while Copenhagen supporters could be heard singing ‘One Bobby Charlton’ ahead of kick off in what was a nice touch and they also unfurled a banner which read: ‘Rest in peace Sir Bobby Charlton.’

Several supporters also paid tribute to Sir Bobby outside Old Trafford ahead of kick off. 

It comes after he was commemorated at United’s UEFA Youth League fixture on Tuesday afternoon before the Under 19 side lost 1-0 against their Copenhagen counterparts. 

Meanwhile, both Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand paid tribute to the United legend when working pitchside for TNT Sports.

Ferdinand said: ‘He was just a fantastic human being first and foremost. A wonderful football player but the way that he carried himself as a human being was the thing that stood out for me above everything. 

‘The football club ran through his veins. He just loved this football club like not many I’ve ever seen before.’

Scholes added: ‘He was a wonderful wonderful man. It was sad day when we found out the news but I think if you look at all the tributes around the world – the first player that comes to your mind when you think about Man United is Sir Bobby Charlton.

‘To go through what he went through with the tragedy of Munich and then to go on to win the European Cup and the World Cup – it’s just a really sad evening tonight and let’s just hope we get through it.’

United’s Women’s side also remembered Sir Bobby at their WSL fixture on Sunday when they faced Everton, with a minute’s silence observed, while the players also wore black armbands. 

Ten Hag and his squad wrote personal messages in memory of Charlton at their Carrington training ground, which will be added to a book of condolence that has been opened at Old Trafford.

More than a thousand fans signed the book within a day of his death being announced as supporters flocked to Old Trafford to pay their respects. 

United plan to further commemorate Sir Bobby at Sunday’s game against Man City when they will hold a minute’s applause and show expressions of fan remembrance with flags and surfer banners in the stadium.