Man United plumb new depths with UCL meltdown in Copenhagen

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Only Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United may win a sport twice and nonetheless lose. When the total story of their wild 2023-24 season is informed, there will not be a extra inexplicable chapter than the one which describes their Champions League meltdown in Copenhagen on Wednesday.

A prematch tifo unfurled by the house supporters warned United that the Parken Stadium was “Your Theatre of Nightmares,” and it could not have been extra prescient.

Coasting at 2-0 after half-hour after which having made it 3-2 to regain the lead on 69 minutes, regardless of being decreased to 10 gamers following the first-half dismissal of Marcus Rashford, United threw victory away in opposition to FC Copenhagen with shambolic defending in the closing levels that led to the house aspect scoring twice in the ultimate seven minutes to win 4-3 and ship United to the underside of Group A with two video games to play.

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And simply so as to add to the sense of farce surrounding United’s distress, the Parken Stadium rang out to chants of “Roony, Roony” on the finish. Not as a reminder of United’s former nice, Wayne Rooney, however in tribute to 17-year-old ahead Roony Bardghji, who scored Copenhagen’s 88th-minute winner.

“This was our weakest performance in the group so far,” Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup mentioned. “But we deserve this win for our performances in the other three games.”

To be honest to United, their ninth defeat in 17 video games in all competitions was not all right down to the shortcomings of Ten Hag and his gamers, with a VAR intervention ensuing in a pink card for Rashford earlier than Harry Maguire conceded a penalty with a harsh handball resolution that despatched United veering off beam after Rasmus Hojlund scored twice in opposition to his hometown staff.

But for Rashford’s Forty second-minute dismissal for catching Elias Jelert above the shin with the only of his boot — a foul that was missed by referee Donatas Rumsas earlier than being flagged by VAR — United seemed heading in the right direction for a straightforward victory following their greatest efficiency of the season.

Yet the fragility of Ten Hag’s staff, one thing that has been evident all through the season when it faces adversity, resurfaced as quickly as Rashford walked down the tunnel, with United’s lead worn out by half-time as Copenhagen scored by way of Mohamed Elyounoussi after which a Diogo Gonçalves penalty.

The second half, then, was clearly a check of United’s resolve. Could they lastly shake off their inconsistencies and show the preventing spirit to earn a draw or perhaps a win?

Initially, the reply was sure. Ten Hag changed Christian Eriksen with Sofyan Amrabat at half-time in an effort so as to add a extra defensive component to his midfield, and United took the sting out of the sport and annoyed the house aspect, regardless of having a one-man drawback.

And when United had been awarded a 66th-minute penalty following a handball by Lukas Lerager — this time VAR discovered in United’s favour — a outstanding, backs-to-the-wall victory abruptly offered itself.

Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot to place United 3-2 forward and depart the guests with simply over 20 minutes to carry agency and see the sport out for a vital win, but in addition a victory that may act as a much-needed turning level for what’s shortly changing into a dire season.

But that is Manchester United we’re speaking about. Not the nice, multi-Champions League-winning staff of the previous, however the modern-day model that has come to typify weak spot, chaos and the way to not play on the highest degree, or any degree.

United have proven a capability to chase misplaced causes this season, scoring late winners in opposition to Brentford, Sheffield United and Fulham, however relating to holding on to a successful place, they’re clueless.

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Burley dissects Man United’s ‘baffling’ loss to Copenhagen

Craig Burley explains all of the faults in Manchester United’s dismal defeat in opposition to Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League.

Even with 10 gamers, most high groups can discover a method to defuse a sport and run down the clock when the strain is on, however this United staff solely crumbles. With lower than 10 minutes to play, United invited Copenhagen ahead and allowed the Danish champions to camp outdoors the penalty space. Having scored twice at Old Trafford, Copenhagen already knew that United had loads of defensive shortcomings they usually got here to the fore once more.

Diogo Dalot was at fault for Copenhagen’s third aim when he failed to identify hazard after which cease it, when Lerager outfoxed him on the far publish to attain from shut vary. Seven days in the past, Dalot was equally careless when permitting Miguel Almirón to attain for Newcastle United in United’s 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat.

And the Portugal worldwide was additionally culpable for Bardghji’s winner — a shocking left-foot strike — when he turned his again on {the teenager}’s shot relatively than throw himself at it. United’s failure to clear the ball initially was the spark for the aim, however Dalot ought to have carried out a lot better.

“The squad is resilient,” Ten Hag argued after the sport. “The whole season, so many decisions are against us, but every time, there is spirit and fight. We will keep going and it will turn in our favour.

“Football is a sport of errors. We did not do the whole lot proper, even with 10 males, we dictated the sport. We did not do the whole lot, however we did many issues proper.”

United are still alive in Group A, but only just, and they will need to show incredible spirit and confidence to beat Galatasaray in what will be a hostile atmosphere in Istanbul.

Despite Ten Hag’s comments about “spirit,” the fact is that his gamers are discovered wanting when it actually issues, and there’s no hiding place in the Champions League.