Manchester United suffered a devastating 4-3 loss to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League after squandering a two-goal lead. The turning point came when Marcus Rashford received a controversial red card following two goals from United’s young striker Rasmus Hojlund.
This defeat dealt a major blow to United’s hopes of qualifying for the last 16, as they currently sit in fourth place in Group A with only three points. Copenhagen, on the other hand, are in second place with four points.
Erik ten Hag, United’s manager, expressed his frustration with the red card decision, stating that it changed the entire game. Despite some positives, Ten Hag acknowledged that his team lost focus.
United now face two challenging matches to conclude the group stage. They will play against Galatasaray, who are in third place with four points, on November 29, and then face Bayern Munich, who have already secured their spot in the last 16, on December 12.
Rasmus Hojlund made a brilliant start for United, scoring his first goal just 171 seconds into the game. He then netted again in the 28th minute against his former club. However, the tide turned when Rashford was sent off in the 42nd minute, giving Copenhagen a boost. Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back for the home side shortly after.
Hojlund acknowledged that the red card changed the game and affected United’s performance. He also credited the home crowd for giving Copenhagen a significant boost.
Copenhagen was awarded a penalty right before halftime due to a handball by Harry Maguire, which Diogo Goncalves converted. United briefly regained the lead with a penalty awarded by VAR, converted by Bruno Fernandes. However, they collapsed in the final minutes, conceding two goals to Copenhagen.
The defeat was a nightmarish experience for United, as they became the first team since 2014 to score two goals, have a player sent off, and concede a penalty in the first half of a Champions League match. It was also their first loss in the Champions League after leading by two or more goals.
For Hojlund, the defeat was particularly disappointing as he returned to his hometown of Copenhagen. His younger brothers, Emil and Oscar, both play for Copenhagen.
In conclusion, Manchester United’s loss to FC Copenhagen was a significant setback in their Champions League campaign. The red card shown to Marcus Rashford proved to be a turning point, and United struggled to maintain their lead. They now face an uphill battle to secure a spot in the last 16.
