Man Utd vs FC Copenhagen LIVE: Champions League result as Andre Onana saves penalty to rescue win
Manchester United 1-0 FC Copenhagen: Maguire and Onana were the heroes to earn the Red Devils a crucial three points after Old Trafford paid its respects to Sir Bobby Charlton
Harry Maguire headed a second-half goal and goalkeeper Andre Onana saved a penalty deep in stoppage time to power Manchester United to a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen for their first victory in the Champions League this season.
Back in the competition after a one-year absence, Erik ten Hag’s side moved into third place in Group A after collecting a precious three points after three games. Bayern Munich top the group with nine points after beating Galatasary 3-1 earlier.
The victory looked in doubt when Copenhagen’s Jordan Larsson stepped up to the spot after Scott McTominay attempted a clearance and caught Elias Achouri in the head with a high boot in the 94th minute. But Onana dived to his left to push the shot away before being mobbed by team mates at the final whistle.
Maguire, who has been the target of fan abuse in recent months, had the Old Trafford faithful on their feet when he broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, Christian Eriksen’s long ball into the area finding the defender at the far post.
A night that began on a solemn note with a tribute to club great Bobby Charlton, who died on Saturday at age 86, ended in celebration with fans singing “There’s only one Bobby Charlton”.
Follow all the action below and get the latest odds and tips for the game right here:
Manchester United team changes
Erik ten Hag makes two changes to the team that defeated Sheffield United at the weekend with Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof being replaced in the back line by Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon.
Harry Maguire keeps his place after his Player of the Match performance during United’s victory over the Blades.
Manchester United vs Copenhagen line-ups
Man Utd XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon; Amrabat, McTominay; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.
Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Jelert, Diks, Vavro, Ankersen; Lerager, Falk, Goncalves; Achouri, Claesson, Elyounoussi
Man Utd to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton
Erik ten Hag believes tonight’s match will be an emotional one as it will be Manchester United’s first home game since club legend Sir Bobby Charlton’s death was announced on Saturday.
A tribute to the 1966 World Cup winner has been planned with the players wearing black armbands and a minute’s silence taking place before the game.
“He is a huge inspiration for us every day.” said Ten Hag.
“He is in front of Old Trafford, with Denis Law and George Best [in the statue]. He is always with us. I am sure it will be even more a very emotional evening.”
Hojlund set for family reunion
Rasmus Hojlund will face his younger twin brothers and former club when Man Utd take on FC Copenhagen this evening.
The Danish international joined United from Serie A side Atalanta in the summer for £72m and has scored three goals for the Red Devils - all in the Champions League defeats to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
His 18-year-old twin brothers, Emil and Oscar, are signed at Copenhagen, with the latter expected to be part of the squad travelling to Old Trafford.
“You know it’s a special game for him,” Ten Hag said, “He grew up at the club and you know he will be highly motivated. It’s for me, for the team but especially of course for him to use that in the right direction, the right balance.”
Sergio Reguilon could return for Man Utd
Left-back Sergio Reguilon could be fit to start for Manchester United in their crucial Champions League game against FC Copenhagen tonight.
The Red Devils are struggling with injuries but Reguilon has recently recovered despite missing Saturday’s win at Sheffield United because of illness.
“Sergio got ill for Saturday so he was fit,” Erik ten Hag said.
“He trained all week last week and yesterday [Sunday] he was back in part training. He will train [on Monday] and then we have to assess if he is ready and game fit or if he can be involved in the squad. We have to wait for that.”
How Jim Ratcliffe’s personal approach outmanoeuvred Qatar in the race to buy Man United
By the time that Sheikh Jassim’s camp made it known they were withdrawing their bid to buy Manchester United, the Glazers were barely paying attention. The truth was that the Qatari businessmen had actually pulled out days before, after final desperate talks with his representative Shahzad Shahbaz in the second week of October. This was all because Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group have actually been in talks about a minority stake for at least two months.
That move came from a crucial calculation, that looks to have set a path to “victory”. It may even lead to majority ownership of Man United, depending on talks in the next few weeks. Ratcliffe and his advisors suspected from the very start that the six Glazer siblings wouldn’t be able to agree on a full sale, and the signs of that were all too clear as long ago as April.
The process had already been unusually protracted, as it went to a third round of bids. While four of the siblings wanted to sell at a price of at least £6bn, the two brothers most involved with United - Avram and Joel - were intent on staying involved. That meant the unanimity necessary for a full sale would probably never happen.
How Ratcliffe’s approach outmanoeuvred Qatar in the race to buy Man United
In the latest dramatic twist in a controversial saga, the Glazer family is poised to sell a minority stake in one of the world’s biggest clubs to the Ineos billionaire, Miguel Delaney reveals how Ratcliffe’s audacious and creative bid outplayed his Qatari rival
Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen prediction
Boosted by a couple of tight wins in the Premier League and with the impact of a packed stadium wanting to win to remember Sir Bobby Charlton, Erik ten Hag’s men should secure a much-needed win and boost their group-stage hopes.
Manchester United 1-0 Copenhagen.
Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen predicted line-ups
Man Utd XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon; Amrabat, McTominay; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.
Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Jelert, Diks, Vavro, Sorensen; Goncalves, Falk, Claesson; Achouri, Larsson, Elyounoussi.
Manchester United fans paying tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of kick off
Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen team news
Casemio’s red card in United’s previous group stage game against Galatasaray means the Brazilian midfielder is suspended for this game.
He joins a host of longer-term absentees with Lisandro Martinez, Jadon Sancho, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw all missing the game.
There may well be a return for Sergio Reguilon at left-back as the Spaniard continues his recovery from a minor hamstring niggle.
Copenhagen left-back Birger Meling went off in the Danish side’s win over Vejle on Saturday and will be unavailable for Tuesday’s clash.
Wiliam Clem, Noah Sahsah and Nicolai Boilesen remain out of contention for Jacob Neestrup’s side but they will be able to welcome back Elias Jelert after serving his suspension for a red card.
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