Manchester United’s fate in the Champions League is in jeopardy after collapsing from a 2-0 lead to fall 4-3 to FC Copenhagen, with Marcus Rashford seeing red in the Danish capital.
Rasmus Hojlund scored twice in the first half, putting his former club under pressure.
However, Rashford’s sending-off changed the course of the game and potentially sealed United’s fate with a third defeat in four Group A games.
Both Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves scored for Copenhagen before halftime, leveling the playing field.
Bruno Fernandes briefly put United back in the lead with a penalty, but two late goals from Lukas Lerager and 17-year-old Roony Bardghji handed Copenhagen their first Champions League win since 2016.
United’s loss places them at the bottom of the group, trailing Galatasaray and Copenhagen by one point with two games left to play.
The Red Devils’ upcoming matches against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich will be crucial as they seek to avoid an early exit from the tournament.
United boss Erik ten Hag will face increased scrutiny following nine defeats in 17 games this season, with Rashford’s dismissal impacting the game’s outcome.
“We played very well until the red card. The red card changed everything. Then it becomes a different game,” said Ten Hag.
“It is a harsh decision. He was going for the ball.”
United will face a more intense home atmosphere when they play at Galatasaray, warned Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup.
The locals were silenced early on when Hojlund scored, putting Copenhagen ahead.
Hojlund, who is yet to score his first Premier League goal, but is the joint-top scorer in the Champions League this season with five goals, capitalized on a team effort to secure the lead.
He struck again, making it 2-0 after a parried initial effort from Alejandro Garnacho.
However, the game shifted entirely when Rashford was red-carded, turning the tide in Copenhagen’s favor.
Elyounoussi capitalized on Goncalves’ ball to level the score, as Copenhagen gained momentum.
United struggled to maintain their lead, and Copenhagen eventually secured a remarkable victory.
The match ended with a 4-3 defeat for Manchester United, raising concerns about their future in the Champions League.
Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72931262/usa_today_21973134.0.jpg "Stay Updated on Wisconsin Badgers Transfer Portal Movements for 2023-2024 Season")
