Manchester United have confirmed that a minute’s applause will be held in their match against Liverpool and black armbands will be worn by the players as a tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez following the death of their baby son.
Ronaldo and his partner announced in October that they were expecting twins but the 37-year-old revealed on Monday that their baby son had died during childbirth, while their newborn daughter survived.
United have confirmed that Ronaldo will play no part in their Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday evening.
But the club have now announced that a minute’s applause will be held by supporters in the seventh minute at Anfield as a tribute to Ronaldo and his partner.
A statement from United read: ‘Fans of and Liverpool will unite in support of and his family at tonight’s match between the two teams at Anfield.
‘A fan-led minute’s applause will be held in the seventh minute of the game in a tribute to the Portuguese striker and his partner Georgina, after they announced the loss of their new-born baby boy on Monday.
‘Messages of support from across the football world are continually flooding in on social media and everybody’s thoughts are with the Ronaldo family right now.
‘It was confirmed earlier that Cristiano will miss the game to be with his loved ones.
‘While United and Liverpool share English football’s greatest rivalry, there is a deep-rooted respect held between the two clubs and that will be highlighted by the minute’s applause, which was initially suggested by fans of the Merseyside team.
‘Ralf Rangnick’s United squad led a request to wear black armbands at Anfield and that has been reciprocated by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.’
In his statement announcing the news on Monday evening, Ronaldo wrote: ‘It is with our deepest sadness that we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away.
‘It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel. Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness.
‘We would like to thank the doctors and nurses for all their expert care and support. We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time. Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you.’
, .
,  and .
