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      Man Utd pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton before Champions League clash with classy Copenhagen fans singing icon’s name

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans gathered outside Old Trafford this evening to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton.Sir Bobby passed away peacefully on Saturday after a three-year battle with dementia.
      Man Utd and Copenhagen paid tribute to Sir Bobby CharltonCredit: Getty
      Erik ten Hag (C), Dan Gore (L) and Alex Stepney (R) walked to the centre circle with a wreathCredit: PA
      There was a minute’s silence at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
      Fans chanted ‘there’s only one Bobby Charlton’Credit: EPA
      Copenhagen fans also joined in with the chants
      The visiting supporters held up a classy banner

      He was one of the greatest players to ever represent Man Utd and England.
      The Red Devils returned to Old Trafford tonight for the first time since Sir Bobby’s passing.
      And hundreds of fans gathered at the stadium hours before kick-off to pay tribute to the club legend.
      Flowers, scarves and photographs were placed around the iconic United Trinity statue ahead of the Champions League match against Copenhagen.
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      Players wore black armbands during the matchCredit: Getty
      The club also gave fans the opportunity to sign a book of condolence.
      United paid tribute to Sir Bobby just before kick-off, with a minute’s silence observed.
      Erik ten Hag carried a wreath to the centre circle alongside Man Utd Under-19’s captain Dan Gore and Alex Stepney, a former team-mate of Sir Bobby.
      Both United and Copenhagen fans then chanted “there’s only one Bobby Charlton” in unison while the visiting supporters held up a banner reading: “Passion is what separates the good from the great. Rest in peace Sir Bobby Charlton”.
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      Man Utd CEO Richard Arnold also placed a wreath on the 1966 World Cup hero’s seat in the Director’s Box with a card that read: “Loved. Adored. Never forgotten. Thank you. The Manchester United family.”
      Sir Geoff Hurst led tributes following the announcement of Sir Bobby’s death on Saturday.
      He tweeted: “Very sad news today 1 of the true Greats Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away. We will never forget him & nor will all of football
      “A great colleague & friend he will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone. Condolences to his family & friends from Geoff and Judith.”
      Ex-England captain Gary Lineker hailed Sir Bobby as the greatest English footballer in history.
      He wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear that Sir Bobby Charlton has died. A truly wonderful footballer and genuinely lovely man.
      “A World Cup winner, Man Utd great and, for me, England’s greatest ever player. He may no longer be with us but he’ll have footballing immortality. RIP Sir Bobby.”
      And United icon Gary Neville shared his own tribute, writing: “So sorry to hear the news of Sir Bobby Charlton.
      “The Greatest English Football player and Manchester United’s greatest ambassador.
      “A champion on and off the pitch and a Busby Babe that paved the way for all to come at United. Rest In Peace Sir Bobby.”
      Read More on The Sun
      The Red Devils paid tribute to Sir Bobby prior to their Premier League match against Sheffield United at the weekend by observing a minute of silence before kick-off.
      And club captain Bruno Fernandes laid a flower wreath in the centre circle at Bramall Lane with a card that read: “In loving memory of Sir Bobby.”
      Flowers, scarves and photographs were placed outside Old Trafford ahead of the match this eveningCredit: AP
      Hundreds of fans gathered outside Old Trafford to pay tribute to Sir Bobby CharltonCredit: Getty
      The iconic United Trinity statue has been surrounded with tributesCredit: AP
      Fans were given the chance to sign a book of condolence before the matchCredit: PA
      Erik ten Hag and his team also signed a book of condolence at Carrington earlier this weekCredit: Getty More

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      Mauro Icardi HUMILIATES Bayern keeper with ‘ice-cold’ moment as fans say ‘he learnt that from Messi’

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      MAURO ICARDI scored a sensational Panenka penalty for Galatasaray against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.The Argentine striker, 30, missed a spot kick away at Manchester United earlier this month, before he went on to score the winner in a 3-2 victory.
      Mauro Icardi scored the penalty with a Panenka

      The sumptuous finish was his 15th goal of the season
      Icardi has been sensational since arriving in Turkey
      However, he made no such mistake in Turkey when the German champions came to visit.
      Galatasaray were awarded the penalty when Icardi was brought down by Joshua Kimmich as he attempted to get on the end of a low cross.
      Despite his miss against Man Utd, Icardi was selected as the man to face Sven Ulreich from 12 yards.
      And he had the confidence to audaciously dink the ball down the middle as Ulreich dived to his right.
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      The brilliant finish left fans in awe of Icardi – who now has 37 goals in 41 games since joining Galatasaray at the beginning of last season – initially on loan before he signed permanently.
      Reacting on social media, one person said: “What a moment.”
      Another added: “Ice cold.”
      A third replied: “Learnt that from Messi.”
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      While a fourth responded: “That Panenka was lit 🔥.”
      Icardi left PSG for Galatasaray due to a lack of opportunities at PSG behind the front three of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
      He made an instant impact in Turkey, scoring 23 times in 26 games during his first season.
      And he already has 15 goals at the start of the new season.
      Galatasaray sit second in the Turkish Super Lig, two points adrift of Fenerbahce.
      And they have also given themselves a superb chance of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League following their win over Man Utd at Old Trafford.
      But they did end up losing 3-1 to Bayern as second-half goals from Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala added to Kingsley Coman’s opener. More

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      Why are Man Utd players wearing black armbands against Copenhagen?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will face Copenhagen TONIGHT in a must-win Champions League clash.The Red Devils are yet to put a point on the board in Group A after two defeats in their opening European games.
      Floral tributes were laid at the Trinity Statue at Old Trafford following the death of Sir Bobby CharltonCredit: GETTY
      MAN UTD VS COPENHAGEN: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S HUGE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLASH
      Erik ten Hag will be hoping for a much-improved performance from his side following their 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray in their last Champions League outing.
      Tonight’s opponents, Copenhagen, will be aiming to build on their spirited 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich as they seek their first win in this year’s competition.
      But why will Man Utd players be wearing back armbands tonight?
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      Why are Man Utd players wearing black armbands against Copenhagen?
      Man Utd players and staff will wear black armbands this evening against Copenhagen as the club pay its respects to the late Sir Bobby Charlton.
      The 1966 World Cup winner passed away aged 86 on Saturday after a battle with dementia.
      Since Sir Bobby’s death, former Man Utd and England players have joined fans at Old Trafford to lay flowers and scarves outside the Trinity Statue, as well as sign a book of condolences.
      The club have outlined how they will pay their respects to Sir Bobby this evening, the statement read: “We will honour and remember Sir Bobby at our men’s first-team game against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday through a special pre-match tribute, which will conclude with a minute’s silence before kick-off.
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      “Turnstiles will be open from 6pm, please arrive early to take your seats and pay your respects.
      “A wreath will be in place on Sir Bobby’s seat within the Director’s Box, players and staff will wear black armbands and Sir Bobby will be remembered on the cover of the matchday programme.”
      What TV channel is Man Utd vs Copenhagen on and can it be live streamed?

      Man Utd vs Copenhagen will be broadcast LIVE on TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate.
      TNT Sports subscribers can live stream all the action via the discovery+ app/website.
      Alternatively, you can follow SunSport’s live blog to keep up to date with all of the action from Old Trafford. More

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      Who are the Champions League top goal scorers 2023/24? Bellingham, Hojlund and Alvarez battle to lead the race

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      ALL forwards dream of being the Champions League top goal scorer – and the prestigious prize is up for grabs once again.Erling Haaland capped off his perfect opening season with Manchester City by becoming the top scorer in club football’s top tier competition.
      Haaland ran away with the top scorer award last seasonCredit: Getty
      However, the Norwegian goal machine hasn’t quite found his shooting boots in this campaign.
      But that means other players now have the chance to dethrone Haaland.
      And SunSport has all the information on who is currently leading the race.
      Who are the Champions League top scorers 2023/24?
      As of Tuesday, October 24
      Read more on Champions League
      Erling Haaland has struggled to find good form in front of goal this season, but his teammate Julian Alvarez tops the pile.
      However, Manchester United new boy Rasmus Hojlund is not too far behind.

      Who has won the Champions League top scorer award the most?
      Cristiano Ronaldo leads the way for the amount of top scorer awards won having clinched it SEVEN times, while Lionel Messi is close behind with six.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have 13 top scorer awards between themCredit: AFP or licensors

      2022/23: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 12
      2021/22: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) – 15
      2020/21: Erling Haaland (Dortmund) – 10
      2019/20: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern) – 15
      2018/19: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 12
      2017/18: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 15
      2016/17: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 12
      2015/16: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 16
      2014/15: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Neymar (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 10
      2013/14: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 17
      2012/13: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 12
      2011/12: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 14
      2010/11: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 12
      2009/10: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 8
      2008/09: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 9
      2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) – 8
      2006/07: Kaká (AC Milan) – 10
      2005/06: Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan) – 9
      2004/05: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 8
      2003/04: Fernando Morientes (Monaco) – 9
      2002/03: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 12
      2001/02: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 10
      2000/01: Raúl González (Real Madrid) – 7
      1999/2000: Mário Jardel (Porto), Rivaldo (Barcelona), Raúl González (Real Madrid) – 10
      1998/99: Andriy Shevchenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Dwight Yorke (Manchester United) – 8
      1997/98: Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) – 10
      1996/97: Milinko Pantić (Atlético Madrid) – 5
      1995/96: Jari Litmanen (Ajax) – 9
      1994/95: George Weah (Paris Saint-Germain) – 7
      1993/94: Hristo Stoichkov (Barcelona) – 5
      1992/93: Franck Sauzée (Marseille) – 5

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      What did Erling Haaland win for being Champions League top goal scorer?
      Erling Haaland’s 12 goals contributed to Pep Guardiola finally lifting the Champions League as Manchester City boss.
      Erling Haaland won UEFA Men’s Player of the YearCredit: Getty
      And it also was a big factor in him being named the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award.
      The Norweigian goal machine said: “I am honoured to have been named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.
      “There are so many top talents across Europe who could have won this award so I am really grateful to everyone who voted for me.” More

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      Newcastle vs Dortmund tips and free bets: Back our 11/1 #PickYourPunt and claim £40 welcome bonus with Betfred

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      NEWCASTLE are looking to build on that memorable PSG win when they host Dortmund this week in the Champions League.And our betting experts have selected a #PickYourPunt acca for the showdown, which has been boosted to a generous 11/1 by our partners at Betfred.
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      Newcastle vs Dortmund
      Our #PickYourPunt selections: Alexander Isak to score, Emre Can to be carded and Anthony Gordon and Niclas Füllkrug 1+ shot on target each – 11/1 – CLAIM HERE
      Here’s why we’ve picked those selections…

      Alexander Isak to score: The Newcastle front man scored five goals in his last five matches prior to the weekend. He was only given the final 20 minutes in the win over Crystal Palace as he recovered from injury. Still searching for first Champions League goal this year and could get it here.
      Emre Can to be carded: Will have a tough task containing the Newcastle midfield, regardless of who Eddie Howe picks to play in there. Has been booked in both Champions League games to date and a quickfire hat trick is on the cards.
      Anthony Gordon and Niclas Füllkrug 1+ shot on target each: Gordon is in the form of his life currently and bagged at the weekend. Will occupy that left hand side and seems to have stepped up following Harvey Barnes’ injury. Fullkrug will lead the Dortmund line and with three goals in his last four games, poses an immediate threat.

      Add our 11/1 selections straight to your bet slip HERE

      PickYourPunt
      You’re in control with PickYourPunt, create and customize your own unique bets.
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      Robert Lewandowski told he ‘would have won Ballon d’Or by now’ if he made shock transfer to Championship club

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      SUPERSTAR striker Robert Lewandowski might have won the Ballon d’Or if he’d signed for Blackburn.That’s according to his Barcelona team-mate Ilkay Gundogan at least.
      Robert Lewandowski almost joined Blackburn Rovers in 2010Credit: Getty
      Ilkay Gundogan told Lewandowski he’d have won Ballon d’Or if he joined Blackburn
      Lewandowski was just a plane ride away from joining Championship side Blackburn in 2010.
      However, an ash cloud caused by an Icelandic volcano grounded flights across Europe for days.
      And, unfortunately for Rovers, the deal never recovered.
      It’s safe to say Lewandowski’s career didn’t suffer for the missed opportunity in Lancashire.
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      But despite his prolific goalscoring exploits across Europe, the Pole has never won football’s top individual honour.
      And Gundogan reckons a spell at Ewood Park could have fixed that.
      Lewandowski, now 35, visited that failed move when he met up with Barca team-mate Gundogan for a Q&A in the Champions League’s UCL show.
      The two stars, who also spent three years together at Borussia Dortmund, tested how well they know each other with a series of questions.
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      Lewandowski asked: “Which team was I meant to move to before I came to Germany?”
      Ex-Manchester City captain Gundogan responded: “I read it somewhere once, was it to Italy?”
      Lewandowski answered: “No, it wasn’t Italy. I wanted to see Blackburn Rovers at the time.”
      Gundogan quipped: “Perhaps if you’d moved to Blackburn, you’d have won the Ballon d’Or by now.”
      Lewandowski then started to laugh with his team-mate before stating: “What’s he saying?”
      Lewandowski instead moved to Dortmund the same year and quickly rose to superstardom, helping them win the Bundesliga and reach the Champions League final.
      That led to a move to Bayern Munich in 2014, where he won every title available and registered a staggering 344 goals in 375 appearances.
      And it was during his time at Bayern when he came the closest to winning the Ballon d’Or, only to be denied by the coronavirus pandemic which cancelled the annual awards in 2020.
      After eight glittering seasons at Bayern, the forward went to Barcelona last year and has extended his goalscoring exploits with 39 goals and 12 assists in 56 games. More

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      Inside the incredible 30,000-capacity stadium carved into a MOUNTAIN that cost £175million and will host Jude Bellingham

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      REAL MADRID visit Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday night.The 14-time winners will play at the Municipal Stadium for the first time as Braga become the 152nd club to play Los Blancos in Europe.
      Braga’s Municipal Stadium is carved into a mountainCredit: 2004 Getty Images
      Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid are set to visit the unique venueCredit: Getty
      Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. will be amongst the stars walking out at the 30,000-capacity stadium carved into the side of a mountain.
      Braga’s unique home has just two stands and a big screen perched on the face of the mountain.
      Nicknamed The Quarry, it was opened in 2003 and cost a total of £175million to build.
      The ground’s unique design even saw it win the Pritzker Prize in 2011, seen as the Nobel Prize of architecture.
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      Architect Eduardo Souto de Moura said: “The Braga stadium might be the most difficult project I ever did.
      “And perhaps for that reason, the one I enjoyed the most.
      “They had found a plot of land for a stadium, in a valley with a waterway.
      “They thought the stands could follow the curves of the valley. I visited and fell in love with it.”
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      Braga have called the stadium home since 2003, renting it off the city council for just £435 a month.
      However, talks have now opened for the club to buy the venue with renovation work needed to modernise the ground.
      The club hope it can be used for the 2030 World Cup, with Portugal confirmed as co-hosts, but the capacity will need to be doubled to at least 60,000 for the stadium to be used during the knockout stage.
      After opening, the Municipal Stadium was used as a venue for Euro 2004, hosting two matches during the group stage.
      Braga’s ground hosted two matches at Euro 2004Credit: 2004 Getty Images
      The Municipal Stadium will host Vinicius Jr. in the Champions League on TuesdayCredit: Rex
      The Portuguese national team have also played there five times, most recently in 2018.
      On Tuesday night, though, it will welcome Real Madrid on matchday three of this season’s Champions League group stage.
      The Spanish giants currently top group C after winning each of their first two games.
      Meanwhile, Braga are third following their victory over Union Berlin earlier this month.
      The stadium holds up to 30,000 fansCredit: 2023 Quality Sport Images
      It cost £175million to build the Municipal Stadium in 2003Credit: 2023 DeFodi Images More

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      Galatasaray vs Bayern Munich LIVE SCORE: Latest updates as German giants look to continue unbeaten start to group stage

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      BAYERN MUNICH will travel to Turkish champions Galatasaray on Tuesday night for a huge Champions League clash.The German giants currently sit top of Group A after an unbeaten start to the group stage.

      Kick off time: 5.45pm BST
      TV channel: TNT Sports 1
      Live stream: discovery+

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      Follow our live blog below… More