Manchester United have confirmed a fan-led minutes’ applause will be held during Tuesday’s Premier League match with Liverpool after Cristiano Ronaldo announced the loss of his son.
Manchester United striker and teammate Georgina Rodriguez were expecting twins, but Ronaldo confirmed on social media on Monday that his baby boy was dead.
In the statement, he said the baby’s sister had survived.
Although a club statement has already revealed that the 37-year-old will not be appearing at Anfield, it has now been announced that fans of the two rival teams will join forces to show support for Ronaldo and his family seven minutes into the game.
Both teams will also wear black belts during the match, with Liverpool players joining Ronaldo’s United team-mates in paying taxes.
“Manchester United and Liverpool fans will gather to support Cristiano Ronaldo and his family in tonight’s match between the two teams at Anfield,” the Red Devils statement read on Tuesday.
“The fan-led applause will be applauded in the seventh minute of the match as a reminder of the Portuguese striker and teammate Georgina, after announcing the loss of their newborn baby on Monday.
“Messages of support from around the world of football are constantly circulating on social media and everyone’s thoughts are in the Ronaldo family right now.
“Although United and Liverpool are competing in a major English football dispute, there is deep respect between the two clubs and that will be highlighted by the momentous applause, which was initially raised by Merseyside fans.
“Ralf Rangnick’s United team led the bid to wear black belts at Anfield and that was averted by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team.”
