(Football news) After two games, Erik ten Hag’s team still has no points in the section, while their guests are one point and one place ahead of their more illustrious hosts. Manchester United’s five goals in the first two match days of the 2023–24 Champions League have been more than any other fourth-place team’s total. However, with defensive flaws starting to show, the Red Devils’ journey back to the big time hasn’t been easy so far.
Manchester United’s 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray, where Rasmus Hojlund’s brace was in vain as the Turkish team took advantage of Wilfried Zaha, Kerem Akturkoglu, and Mauro Icardi, could have sent panic signals through the roof. Ten Hag’s team could be forgiven for losing to the reigning German champions Bayern Munich, but the panic button may have been pushed.
At the top level of European football, Manchester United has lost its previous three games and is now winless in five straight. Even if they have recently defeated Sheffield United and Brentford, they are still playing a deceptive domestic schedule.
Though neither of the 2-1 victories was entirely convincing, and it required a Diogo Dalot special to sink the Blades in the dark on a sombre Saturday night, Manchester United can now win three straight games for the first time since May thanks to the right-back’s incredible goal.
Despite three of their last five visits to Old Trafford ending in defeat, Copenhagen can legitimately hope for a midweek monster massacre. Manchester United will not be able to force their way into the top two slots in Group A this week with a much-needed maximum.
Despite winning Superliga title number fifteen the previous season, it is not unexpected that Copenhagen’s home dominance has not translated into a deep run in the Champions League; however, Jacob Neestrup’s team should be proud of their performance in Group A thus far.
Copenhagen’s opening 2-2 draw with Galatasaray was undoubtedly a case of two points lost rather than one gained, as the Turkish team pulled off an incredible comeback, trailing 0–2 until the 86th minute. On matchday two, they were again the victims of Bayern Munich’s visit to their Scandinavian headquarters.
Despite taking the lead through Lukas Lerager, Neestrup’s team lost to Jamal Musiala and Mathys Tel’s subsequent attempts to take third place in the preliminary rankings. On Saturday, however, Copenhagen overcame a 2-1 deficit to defeat Vejle in the Superliga.
The Danish champions’ disappointing three-game losing streak was ended by that close win, and they now have an incredible 14-game road winning streak to defend at Old Trafford. They have also scored in 16 straight away games away from home.
Manchester United and Copenhagen met twice in the group stage of the 2006–07 Champions League; the Red Devils won both games easily, 3-0 at home and 1-0 away. However, they triumphed by the same score in the 2019–20 Europa League quarter finals thanks to a penalty kick by Bruno Fernandes in the 95th minute.
Also read: Real Madrid set to play Braga in the UCL
