(Football news) After a dull first half from the home team, center-back Maguire broke the scoreless draw with a powerful header in the 72nd minute. Then, with a last-minute penalty saved by Onana from Jordan Larsson, the son of former Manchester United forward Henrik Larsson, the Red Devils secured a crucial victory in dramatic fashion.
Erik ten Hag’s team lost their first two Group A matches, but their victory over Copenhagen helped them overcome their Danish opponents and move up to third place, only one point behind second-place Galatasaray, who fell to group leaders Bayern Munich 3-1 earlier this evening. This victory has given the team newfound optimism that they can make it to the knockout stages.
The historic win for Manchester United came in their first home game following the 86-year-old death on Saturday of football hero and club icon Sir Bobby Charlton.
Prior to the game, a lone piper led Ten Hag, academy captain Dan Gore, and former goalie Alex Stepney carrying wreaths towards the centre circle. Following this, there was a precisely timed silence to honour Charlton’s life and career.
Copenhagen had the better start of the two teams, and within the first five minutes, Diogo Goncalves’ effort struck the base of the post after Mohamed Elyounoussi’s strong driving run through United’s defence denied the Danish champions.
The Red Devils were careless with the ball and found it difficult to counter the visitors’ relentless press in the first half, while Copenhagen, who appeared assured and at ease in control, was by much the superior team.
The Old Trafford supporters were furious that the Red Devils were unable to muster any creativity in the last part of the game, and referee Marco Guida appeared to have had enough when he oddly sounded the half-time whistle just 15 seconds before the 45-minute mark.
At halftime, Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen took Sofyan Amrabat’s place in an attempt to inject some much-needed creativity into the midfield. The Old Trafford crowd anticipated a quick response from Manchester United, but Copenhagen once again got off to the best start.
Lukas Lerager took a hard drive from the outskirts of the area that seemed like it would find the far corner, but Onana came to the rescue five minutes into the second half with an incredible one-handed stop.
Only a few minutes later, Kamil Grabara produced another spectacular one-handed stop at the other end to stop Eriksen’s low-driven strike from slipping into the lower corner.
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho met a brilliantly weighted delivery from Bruno Fernandes and raced clear through on goal as tensions inside Old Trafford mounted. However, the Argentine made a heavy touch at the crucial moment, allowing Grabara to gather the ball.
In the end, Man United’s attack was unable to capitalise on opportunities when it mattered most. However, Maguire stepped up to the plate eighteen minutes from time, opening the score with a close-range header that was his first goal for the Red Devils since February 2022. He did this by pouncing on a brilliant Eriksen cross from the right.
Both McTominay and Garnacho came dangerously close to expanding Manchester United’s lead, and it appeared their squandered opportunities would be costly when Copenhagen was awarded a penalty in the fifth and last minute of stoppage time in the second half.
Having only been on the field for about ten minutes, substitute Larsson was given the task of giving Copenhagen the lead with the final kick of the match after McTominay was sent off for a high boot towards Elyounoussi’s head inside the six-yard box. VAR confirmed the on-field decision.
To help Man United hang on for a crucial win on a historic night at Old Trafford, Onana made the right guess and dove to his left to block Larsson’s left-footed drive.
After hosting Danish Superliga basement club Hvidovre on Saturday, Copenhagen will welcome Manchester United in their next game, which is the minor matter of a Manchester derby with rivals and reigning Premier League winners Manchester City on Sunday.
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