Saturday 28 / December / 2024
Manchester: Manchester United survived a huge late scare at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League as they beat Copenhagen 1-0.
It was Harry Maguire's goal in the second half that put United on the road to victory, but a stoppage-time penalty save from Andre Onana was need to secure the win.
It was an emotional night in Manchester as it was the first home game for Manchester United since the passing of club legend Sir Bobby Charlton. A small ceremony took place before the action got underway, but there wasn't a great deal of action in the first half.
The hosts were lacking fluidity and whilst there was the occasional moment of promise, Copenhagen were firmly in the game and posed a threat of their own going forward.
The second half started with much more action, with both teams having chances to score. The best chance came as Rashford beat his man, played it into the box where Hojlund could lay it off for Christian Eriksen whose low shot was excellently saved.
A minute later, Rashford went through on goal and had to hurdle the goalkeeper, but play was pulled back for an offside.
A great chance presented itself in the 66th minute as a swift break set Alejandro Garnacho through on goal, but one heavy touch was all it took for the chance to disappear, as the atmosphere got more and more tense at Old Trafford.
The breakthrough for Manchester United finally came in the 72nd minute and it came from an unlikely source. Having put in a few improved performances in recent weeks, Maguire rose highest to head in Christian Eriksen's cross after a corner had been recycled, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.
Erik ten Hag's side missed a host of chances to kill the game, and they almost paid for those misses when Copenhagen got a penalty in stoppage time. Jordan Larsson, son of one-time Manchester United forward Henrik Larsson, stepped up and saw his penalty saved by Onana.
Man United move to third in Group A, crucially just one point behind Galatasaray in second.
