What a painful night for United in Copenhagen (©AFP)
What a painful night for United in Copenhagen (©AFP)

This is your final destination, Erik! Manchester United die a painful death in Denmark

Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 09.11.23. | 01:08

FC Copenhagen twice came back from behind to beat Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League and increase the pressure on under-fire boss Erik Ten Hag

Two weeks ago, Manchester United narrowly beat FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford - thanks to Andre Onana's late penalty save. But this time, there was no hope. United lost in the Danish capital 4-1 despite leading 2-0 and 3-2 on the night. If Erik Ten Hag survives this - then he really is a lucky man!

The game started with an early controversial incident when Harry Maguire seemed to handle the ball inside the box. However, the referee waved away the penalty appeals and the game continued. It was an early scare that should have served as a warning. There was a bumpy ride ahead.

Hojlund feels at home in Copenhagen - because it is. The guy was born in the Danish capital and has played for FC Copenhagen before setting off on the journey that eventually led him to sign for Manchester United.

Just three minutes into the game, Manchester United broke the deadlock when Scott McTominay provided a perfect pass to Hojlund. The Dane had an easy task to tap in into the empty net.

The second goal came just before the half-hour mark, and it was also a very easy finish. Ten Hag's boys were cruising, but once again they decided to make their life hard.

Marcus Rashford stamped on Elias Jelert's ankle and received a booking. However, following a VAR review, Rashford was sent off with three minutes of the regulatory 45 remaining. And then - the stuff of nightmares.

Former Southampton winger Mohamed Elyounoussi reduced the deficit and then Maguire did his compulsory idiotic move of the night, giving away a penalty that Diogo Goncalves duly converted.

The home fans had unfurled a huge banner with the writing "Theatre of your nightmares" to intimidate the English team. And the night was turning into a nightmare.

Copenhagen midfielder Lukas Lerager handled the ball in his box and handed Bruno Fernandes a chance to restore the Red Devils' lead with 20 minutes to go. Once again, United have seemingly found a way to win, albeit with a man down.

Lerager made amends for his previous handball by making it 3-3 with ten minutes to go. Diogo Dalot was supposed to be marking him but he was nowhere to be seen! The scene was set for a sensational "remontada".

Seventeen-year-old substitute Roony Bardghji shattered Manchester United's hopes as he struck the ball powerfully into the net. The visitors failed to handle a ball into the box adequately, and Bardghji capitalized on the opportunity with a powerful strike. What a moment for the teenager - to become a Red Devil killer in the Champions League!

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Group stage - matchday 4

Tuesday

Dortmund - Newcastle 2-0 (1-0)

/Fullkrug 26, Brandt 79/

Shakhtar - Barcelona 1-0 (1-0)

/Sikan 40/

Atl. Madrid - Celtic 6-0 (2-0)

/Griezmann 6, 60, Morata 45+2, 76, Lino 66, Saul 85/

Lazio - Feyenoord 1-0 (1-0)

/Immobile 45+1/

Milan - PSG 2-1 (1-1)

/Leao 12, Giroud 51 - Skriniar 9/

Crvena Zvezda - RB Leipzig 1-2 (0-1)

/Kanga 81 - Simons 8, Openda 77/

Man City - Young Boys 3-0 (2-0)

/Haaland 22 pen, 52, Foden 45/

Porto - Antwerp 2-0 (1-0)

/Evanilson 31 pen, Pepe 90+1/

Wednesday

Real Sociedad - Benfica 3-1 (3-0)

/Merino 6, Oyarzabal 11, Barrenetxea 21 - Rafa Silva 49/

Napoli - Union Berlin 1-1 (1-0)

/Politano 39 - Fofana 52/

Bayern - Galatasaray 2-1 (0-0)

/Kane 80, 86 - Bakambu 90+3/

Copenhagen - Man Utd 4-3 (2-2)

/Elyounoussi 45, Goncalves 45+9, Lerager 83, Bardghji 87 - Hojlund 3,28, Bruno 68/

Arsenal - Sevilla 2-0 (1-0)

/Trossard 30, Saka 64/

PSV - Lens 1-0 (1-0)

/De Jong 13/

Real Madrid - Braga 3-0 (1-0)

/Brahim 27, Vinicius Jr 58, Rodrygo 60/

Salzburg - Inter 0-1 (0-0)

/Lautaro 86 pen/



tags

Rasmus HojlundMarcus RashfordBruno FernandesRoony BardghjiMohamed ElnenyLukas LeragerFC CopenhagenManchester UnitedUEFA Champions LeagueErik ten Hag

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