Manchester United crumbled to defeat for a third time in Europe this season against FC Copenhagen tonight.
The Reds imploded after Marcus Rashford’s red card to throw away a two-goal lead. Then, in the second half, we took the lead again… only to concede two more goals at the end.
It will go down as our ninth defeat of the season, which is more than the eight wins we’ve managed.
Without further ado, here are my three observations from the 4-3 defeat against Copenhagen:
Hojlund loves the Champions League
Our young Danish striker has five goals in four Champions League matches for United. It’s a remarkable record and he would have enjoyed scoring a brace against his former club tonight. Since arriving at United, his new teammates have not provided enough service for him, and he needs to be getting on the scoresheet in the Premier League.
Hojlund was brilliant again tonight but Ten Hag shouldn’t have took him off. After all, he was our only goalscoring threat.
Intent seems irrelevant these days
I couldn’t believe it when I saw the referee gave Marcus Rashford a straight red card prior to the break. The foul on Elias Jelert was clearly accidental, with zero intention, but he did go in high on his ankle. I guess, in the modern game, we can have no complaints but anybody with a brain can see that it was an extremely harsh decision. No more than a yellow card for me and it’s not like he broke Jelert’s leg. The Copenhagen star played on. United looked like they were set to collapse after the red card – conceding two goals in quick succession – but they came out the better side in the second half.
Defending cost us in the end
United got back in the lead with over 20 minutes remaining thanks to a Bruno Fernandes penalty. Then, moments later, Copenhagen equalised again. They were handed the goal by appalling defending from Diogo Dalot. I can’t get my head around his attempt to defend the cross? Awful but it all came from an awful pass by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. I think we might see Sergio Reguilon at left-back on Saturday.
Furthermore, Copenhagen’s fourth goal showed how bad United are defensively as Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane had a nightmare trying to play out from the back. We gifted them the three points and the consequence could be hefty.
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