Exclusive: Diogo Dalot remembers ‘great man’ Sir Bobby Charlton and expects ‘special’ Manchester United tribute

Diogo Dalot says it’s time to “remember what Sir Bobby Charlton did for the club and for football”, as Manchester United prepares to pay tribute to the legendary forward.

United are set to celebrate Charlton’s incredible career and life ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Ahead of the game, defender Dalot reflected on the “great and fantastic” Charlton, as well as the atmosphere around the club in the days following his death.

“There have been some tough days at the club, really sad ones,” Dalot told TNT Sports.

“You’re never prepared to lose those you love or those you care about. Sir Bobby was definitely one of those for this club, for English football and for world football.

“I think there have been some sad days, but at the same time, you’re trying to move forward and try to remember what he did for the club and for football by showing everyone that he was a great man and a great person, and showing everyone he was a fantastic man.”

“It was really special, I get goosebumps talking about it,” he said.

“Just the feeling of scoring a goal and then seeing the way that the fans were celebrating.

“On a difficult day, it meant I could give some joy in a sad moment and I think that’s what this club is about, being a family, being united, being together as one. I was happy to contribute a little bit to that.

“It will be in my memory forever. I think, not just because of the way the goal was [scored], but the moment because we needed a goal to win the game, the feeling of everybody releasing that energy to celebrate together.”

Tuesday will be United’s first home game since Charlton’s death.

Dalot thinks it will be a “special” occasion to remember Charlton.

“I think the fans will be looking forward to that game to show love not just for Sir Bobby, but for the club as well,” said Dalot.

“When a time like this comes, we’ve shown in the past the history of the club speaks for itself.

“When tough moments come by, we always show that we are united and that we will bounce back no matter what, and this will be for sure, one more moment.

“I think the fans will try to memorise this as a beautiful moment to remember the great person Sir Bobby was, and the great footballer he was as well. Tuesday will be special.”

The game against Copenhagen is also crucial for United’s Champions League hopes.

“The only thing that is on our minds is getting the three points,” Dalot said.

“We know we don’t have much more of a margin to lose points, that’s the kind of pressure and standard that has to be for our club every single day.

“We have to win every game and Tuesday will be no different.”

The club have struggled with injuries this season and Ten Hag has been forced to continuously reshuffle his defence.

Dalot, alongside Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Rafael Varane, Sofyan Amrabat, Sergio Reguilon and Lisandro Martinez, have all featured in the backline since the club’s opening Champions League defeat against Bayern.

But Dalot, who has been the only mainstay in the last six games, will not use the injuries as an excuse for United’s patchy form.

“This is football, we have to adapt quickly. We don’t have time to moan or have time to be sad or sorry for ourselves. We just have to find a way to be together.

“We have 20-plus players that are capable of playing no matter when and I think we have shown we have a lot of quality in the team.

“Every game is pivotal, it can be a turning point or when you don’t win it’s always worse than you would expect, so we just have to go game by game.

“We’re focused on Tuesday to win, we have to get three points. There’s no point in thinking too much ahead when you have a big game.

“Every game at this club is a major one.”