Marc Skinner paid tribute to Poppy Atkinson in his post-match press conference, after his side progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Cup by beating Sunderland 3-1 at Leigh Sports Village.
The 10-year-old United fan tragically lost her life this week after a car crashed onto the sports pitch where she was taking part in a training session.
The youngster from Cumbria idolised Ella Toone and harboured dreams of playing for United when she was older.
The youngster from Cumbria idolised Ella Toone and harboured dreams of playing for United when she was older.
Skinner said:
“A special mention to Poppy and her family. It's an incredibly difficult moment for them, being a father myself to two young daughters, I know that people share the sentiment.We're sending love to them, if we can give them a little bit of respite in their suffering, as a club we will look into that.
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“A young Manchester United fan that had dreamed of being in our first team in the future and it is tragic her life was cut short. So we send all of our love to her family.”
The players wore black armbands during the match and the fans applauded in the 10 minute of the game, in Poppy's memory.
Following Leah Galton's first half header, Ella Toone held up a United shirt with the youngster's name on the back and again, after the final whistle, the team gathered round the shirt in a touching tribute.
The Reds ran out 3-1 winners after goals from Galton and Maya Le Tissier in the first half. Louise Griffiths clawed one back in the second, before Toone capped it off with United's third in second-half injury time.
The Reds ran out 3-1 winners after goals from Galton and Maya Le Tissier in the first half. Louise Griffiths clawed one back in the second, before Toone capped it off with United's third in second-half injury time.