In a stunning turn of events, Copenhagen delivered a massive blow to Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Danish side pulled off a dramatic 4-3 victory over the three-time winners, leaving United's nightmare season to continue. The match was filled with ups and downs, starting with United taking a two-goal lead through Danish player Rasmus Højlund. However, momentum shifted when Marcus Rashford received a red card just before halftime for stepping on a Copenhagen player's ankle.
Despite the setback, Copenhagen managed to level the scores by halftime. United briefly regained the lead through a controversial penalty decision, but two late goals from the hosts turned the tie in their favor. As a result, Group A now hangs in the balance, with Copenhagen and Galatasaray on four points and United at the bottom with three, all trailing the undefeated leaders Bayern Munich with 12 points.
The defeat against Copenhagen adds further pressure on United boss Erik ten Hag, as it marks the team's ninth loss in their last 17 games. The poor run includes humiliating defeats to Manchester City in the Premier League and unexpected home losses to Brighton and Crystal Palace. Additionally, United was convincingly knocked out of the League Cup at home by Newcastle United. This season is now the first time since 1973-74 that the club has suffered so many defeats across all competitions to begin a campaign, a time in which they were relegated.
However, amidst the disappointment, there were glimpses of positivity from Manchester United's performance against Copenhagen. According to ten Hag, the squad demonstrated resilience and fighting spirit, despite the setbacks they faced throughout the season. The manager believes that this spirit will eventually turn the team's fortunes around, stating, "Built on one moment in the season, it will turn in our favor."
The turning point in the match came with Rashford's controversial red card. The England international appeared to be shielding the ball but inadvertently stood on the ankle of Copenhagen's Elias Jelert. Initially shown a yellow card, the decision was upgraded to a red following a VAR review. The review process, however, came under criticism, as the referee was shown still images and slow-motion replays that may have influenced the decision. Ten Hag expressed his disappointment with the red card, emphasizing that football should not be subjected to such decisions.
Despite the setback, United managed to regain the lead in the second half through a penalty awarded via VAR for a handball. Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty confidently. However, in the final minutes of the game, Copenhagen's relentless pressure paid off. Lukas Lerager equalized before 17-year-old Roony Bardghji scored the winning goal in the 87th minute, sending the home crowd into wild celebration. This defeat has left United's qualification hopes in jeopardy with just two remaining group stage games against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich, both of which have already defeated the English side.
Bruno Fernandes remained resolute after the loss, stating that their intentions remain the same - to win their remaining games and secure qualification. However, the Portuguese midfielder acknowledged the tough challenges that lie ahead, including a crucial away game against Galatasaray and a clash against the group leaders Bayern Munich. Despite the disappointment, United must now focus on regaining their winning form and securing vital points in the Premier League.