Manchester United’s 10 men fell to a late defeat to leave them bottom of their Champions League group in a disastrous defeat for Erik ten Hag’s strugglers
Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd are bottom of the group with two games to go (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United and Copenhagen exchanged seven goals in a thrilling Champions League contest – in which Erik ten Hag’s ten men slipped to a damaging late defeat.
The Red Devils were cruising thanks to a poacher’s brace by Rasmus Hojlund before a harsh red card for Marcus Rashford turned the game on its head. The host scored two goals in the closing stages of the first-half and did the same in the second to punish the and leave United bottom of the group.
Daily Star Sport have taken a look at three things Ten Hag got wrong and one he got right in the Group A contest – with United looking at elimination from European competition altogether.
Right – Out of the blocks
Rasmus Hojlund was the star of the show before the red card (Image: Getty Images)
United were by far the better team in the opening stages against Copenhagen with Hojlund grabbing two goals inside 30 minutes to five United a foothold.
Too many times Ten Hag has watched his side rely on late goals in order to pick up points – with Wednesday’s game at one point looking to be heading towards a comfortable victory.
Despite Rashford’s red giving the away side the boost they needed to go on and win it, the start made by Ten Hag’s side was one of their most impressive early performances of the season.
Wrong – Keep it tight
Harry Maguire’s handball handed the hosts a penalty in the first-half (Image: Getty Images)
Instead of keeping things tight after Rashford’s controversial red card, United played the same way and were swiftly reduced to a one goal lead.
A lapse in concentration aided the pursuit of the hosts with their second goal coming from another clumsy move with Harry Maguire’s arms away from his body.
There was no heroics from the spot this time from Andre Onana, with United only regaining some control at the start of the second period with a man fewer on the pitch.
Wrong – Game management
Bruno Fernandes put United back in front from the spot – but it meant nothing (Image: Getty Images)
This game has everything! 🤯
At 17 years old, Roony Bardghji puts Copenhagen ahead with this stunning strike! 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/GZZ6ULgyqO
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 8, 2023
United were undone in the closing stages thanks to a lapse in concentration from Diogo Dalot before Maguire and Raphael Varane’s attempts to play out of the back cost them as a penalty from Bruno Fernandes went to waste.
The away side failed to adapt to the growing pressure of the home side who had nothing to lose, having been the better side despite having a man fewer – as Robbie Savage pointed out on TNT Sports.
He said: “Surely it has to be game management from experienced players and internationals.” He added:” You’ve got to get the ball out and play in their half.”
Wrong – Late changes
Man Utd could even miss out on a Europa League spot (Image: Getty Images)
United’s most dangerous forward on the night was without doubt the young striker Hojlund – but he was taken off at the wrong moment.
Ten Hag’s men needed an outlet in the closing stages but he was dragged off for Mason Mount with the scores level – before Copenhagen swiftly took the lead
Lukas Lerager and Roony Bardghji were the late heroes, with Copenhagen now pushing for an unlikely route into the knockout stages as they sit second in the group.
