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jamesruggieri
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Manchester United have revealed that they plan to hold a series of tributes to their European memories after the death of their Champions League - and UEFA Cup - hopes.
Following the club's exit from the Champions League after 2-1 away defeat to Benfica, it has been seen by many as the death of their reputation as a major club force in Europe. A club spokesperson said last night: "This is a terrible loss to the club, and all our thoughts and sincerest condolences are with everyone associated with Manchester United."
The spokesperson also revealed the clubs planned tributes to their European memories: "We will have a minutes silence before Sunday's game against Everton, and then our following game against Wigan will be preceeded with a minutes applause - we believe this will allow the fans to think about what we've done in Europe and applaud our previous success in the competition. Together with this, we will also hold more minutes silence in the games against Aston Villa and Birmingham City away - the following games against WBA, Birmingham again and Bolton will also have a minutes applause to allow fans to appreciate United's previous respect in European competition."
The game away at Arsenal on January 3rd will hold no appreciation - either a minutes silence or applause - as it is felt Arsenal fans (who have progressed undefeated to the knockout stage of this season's Champions League) would not appreciate it and make a mockery of the tribute, something which the spokesperson claimed was "unfortunate".
It is also believed the club is planning to build a 6ft bronze statue of the 1999 Champions League trophy, which will take its place on Sir Matt Busby Way, to commemorate the Cup victory. Sculpture firm, Scouse Sculptures, has been chosen to build the statue. Phil Smith of Scose Sculptures said: "Its a privilege to be able to build this statue to celebrate a fallen club's past glory. I am a Liverpool fan too - how ironic."
The 1999 trophy itself will be buried at a service on Sunday afternoon before the Everton game. The funeral is being held at the Nou Camp, the location where Manchester United won the trophy in the dying minutes of the game. There are rumours that the trophy may be buried along with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's knee, which sadly passed away in 2004 following years of illness.
Teddy Sheringham, who scored the equaliser in the fateful night in Barcelona, is due to give a speech before Everton's visit to Old Trafford, providing the wheelchair access for his ageing body is sorted for entry into the ground.
Inflatable Champions League trophies have been laid along with 1999 club kits outside Old Trafford as a mark of respect.
Following the club's exit from the Champions League after 2-1 away defeat to Benfica, it has been seen by many as the death of their reputation as a major club force in Europe. A club spokesperson said last night: "This is a terrible loss to the club, and all our thoughts and sincerest condolences are with everyone associated with Manchester United."
The spokesperson also revealed the clubs planned tributes to their European memories: "We will have a minutes silence before Sunday's game against Everton, and then our following game against Wigan will be preceeded with a minutes applause - we believe this will allow the fans to think about what we've done in Europe and applaud our previous success in the competition. Together with this, we will also hold more minutes silence in the games against Aston Villa and Birmingham City away - the following games against WBA, Birmingham again and Bolton will also have a minutes applause to allow fans to appreciate United's previous respect in European competition."
The game away at Arsenal on January 3rd will hold no appreciation - either a minutes silence or applause - as it is felt Arsenal fans (who have progressed undefeated to the knockout stage of this season's Champions League) would not appreciate it and make a mockery of the tribute, something which the spokesperson claimed was "unfortunate".
It is also believed the club is planning to build a 6ft bronze statue of the 1999 Champions League trophy, which will take its place on Sir Matt Busby Way, to commemorate the Cup victory. Sculpture firm, Scouse Sculptures, has been chosen to build the statue. Phil Smith of Scose Sculptures said: "Its a privilege to be able to build this statue to celebrate a fallen club's past glory. I am a Liverpool fan too - how ironic."
The 1999 trophy itself will be buried at a service on Sunday afternoon before the Everton game. The funeral is being held at the Nou Camp, the location where Manchester United won the trophy in the dying minutes of the game. There are rumours that the trophy may be buried along with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's knee, which sadly passed away in 2004 following years of illness.
Teddy Sheringham, who scored the equaliser in the fateful night in Barcelona, is due to give a speech before Everton's visit to Old Trafford, providing the wheelchair access for his ageing body is sorted for entry into the ground.
Inflatable Champions League trophies have been laid along with 1999 club kits outside Old Trafford as a mark of respect.
