Manchester United vs. Copenhagen LIVE: Champions League outcome and reaction as United falters after Rashford's red card

 Manchester United vs. Copenhagen LIVE: Champions League outcome and reaction as United falters after Rashford's red card

After Marcus Rashford was sent off, Erik ten Hag's team twice gave away a lead until super sub Roony Bardghji gave Copenhagen a crazy 4-3 victory, severely harming Manchester United's prospects of qualifying for the Champions League.

Two weeks after the team gave hope to a flagging continental campaign by defeating the Danish champions by a tiny margin, Parken saw an almost unbelievable comeback that drops the Red Devils to the bottom of Group A.

In the encounter against his previous club, Rasmus Hojlund's brace had placed United ahead, but Rashford's red card set off an amazing comeback, and Copenhagen's pre-match tifo with the words "your theatre of nightmares" proved to be prophetic.

This first half had a ton of action and was equally exciting. After a brilliant team move ended with Hojlund's goal in the third minute, there were many play breaks before the Copenhagen native scored his second goal and was denied a hat-trick.

United's situation rapidly and dramatically collapsed. Following a VAR review, Rashford was sent off for catching Elias Jelert. Mohamed Elyounoussi scored the first goal, and Diogo Goncalves equalized from the penalty spot following a handball by Harry Maguire.

There was a chaotic first half and a thrilling second half. After United had taken the lead again thanks to a penalty kick from captain Bruno Fernandes, Lukas Lerager equalized and replaced Bardghji to complete an amazing triumph for Copenhagen.

Watch live: Copenhagen vs. Manchester United

Due to their most recent disaster, Manchester United may have to abandon the Champions League early.

87' SCOOP! - Bardghji defeats United (4-3 MUN) with a late goal.

83' SCOOP! - Lerager scores a late equalizer for the home team (CPH 3-3 MUN).

69' SCOOP! - Fernandes puts United ahead with a penalty kick (CPH 2-3 MUN)

53' SAVING! - To deny Vavro, Onana goes low (CPH 2-2 MUN)

45+9' SCOPE! - Following Maguire's handball, Goncalves converts the penalty (CPH 2-2 MUN)

45' SCOPE! - To get one back, Elyounoussi pokes the ball home (CPH 1-2 MUN).

41 YELLOW CARD Rashford was fired after a VAR review (CPH 0–2 MUN).

40' CHANCE! - Hojlund misses an opportunity to complete a hat-trick (CPH 0-2 MUN).

28' SCOOP! - A counterattack results in Hojlund's second goal (CPH 0-2 MUN).

3' SCOPE! - Hojlund scores after a low ball from McTominay (CPH 0-1 MUN).

3 - 4 FC Copenhagen - Manchester United FC

Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 22:38 – Manchester United faces an early Champions League departure due to their most recent farce. Mike Collier

Even worse than a setback that may determine Manchester United's Champions League campaign, Erik ten Hag's unfortunate team almost suffered several defeats in one game as they discovered new methods to just crumble. thrice. After an absolutely perfect evening, United was left with nothing and seemed very implausible. It was comedy from the appearance of competence rather than exactly loss from the jaws of triumph. United is in risk of losing in the group stage for the third time in the last eight years after suffering a 4-3 loss in Copenhagen. They have just bottomed out, but as of right now, they are at the bottom of the pack. Just minutes before the conclusion of regular time, United was up in both halves and, astonishingly, fell behind twice. The second one, of course, was the important one, as Ten Hag's side vanished from sight to the sound of boisterous celebration from Copenhagen supporters. One of the best evenings in their history was this one. It is noteworthy that this was one of United's worst performances in a long time.

Although there were some mitigating variables, including Marcus Rashford's controversial red card, they are insufficient to entirely explain this. For this reason, rather than United's lumbering midfield doing most of the hard lifting, the word "somehow" does a lot of the work here.

The harsh reality was that Ten Hag's issues from this season were mostly resolved by this. The lack of conviction was the most significant factor, surpassing even the absence of a tactical approach.

That's the main problem there. It really shouldn't have come to this in the contemporary Champions League, especially against a team with Copenhagen's level of resources.

Erik ten Hag provided the following post-match commentary: Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 23:06, Mike Jones

"Have you got an hour? I believe that up to the red card, we performed very well. Everything changed after the red card. It then turns into a separate game.

"We give up two goals that aren't fair. It is depressing.

Not just this evening. In other games, we have to cope with a lot of judgments that go against us. That's the reality. But it's a lengthy season. It will eventually work in our advantage.

"That was a tough choice. He had his eye on the ball. After the review was over, he approached the screen. It seemed like the referee was unsure.

"It got better after the half, but the two goals shouldn't count." In the first, Onana is in front of a player who is offside. Second, is there anything you can do about that?

"I saw a lot of good things, but ultimately we get distracted. Playing for so long with 10 guys is difficult.

"From my perspective, that was the best 20 minutes I saw." We were still in control of the game even with ten. It is very disheartening. We played so well and fought so hard. We still need a single point.

Rasmus Hojlund's response: Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 22:51, Mike Jones

Naturally, we had a great start to the game and were in control up until the red card, which obviously affected the dynamics of the match.

"We performed really well if you ignore the score and concentrate on the opening 20 minutes.

We briefly turned each other off. We didn't anticipate playing with one guy less. They gained confidence from it, thinking that the audience could support the squad. It really boosted them.

We played well at the start of the second half and showed composure while handling the ball. We should not be here with 0 points.

whole-time! Denmark 4-3 Manchester United Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 22:08, Mike Collier

90+5 minutes: The alarm sounds! In Copenhagen, Manchester United has suffered a defeat. The game's turning moment came from Marcus Rashford's red card, but Roony, a precocious teenage star, ultimately made the decision.

Even though United suffered a severe blow, they are still in the Champions League. Erik ten Hag's team still has a long way to go before facing tougher opponents like Galatasaray and Bayern Munich.

Man United 4-3 Copenhagen

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 22:04 Mike Collier

90+3 minutes: Harry Maguire, ever the adventurous one, gets his foot through the ball and shakes the crossbar with his effort from the edge of the box after a long pass forward is dropped.

It was almost there.

Man United 4-3 Copenhagen

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 22:02 Mike Collier

90 minutes: Denmark will have a further five minutes to play. Although Manchester United is requesting another handball in the box, the VAR check fails on this one.

Copenhagen 4-3 Manchester United (Bardghji, 87')♰️

Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 2 p.m. Mike Collier

87 minutes Bardghji Roony! The youngster seems to give Copenhagen the victory.

Andre Onana makes a great stop to give the hosts back control. With a swift backswing, the ball enters the area again, and Bardghji drives it into the back of the goal with a flick!

Man United 3-3 Copenhagen

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 21:58 Mike Collier

86 minutes: Mason Mount has replaced Rasmus Hojlund on the field. The team pressing for the victory is Copenhagen; they have the edge and have already breached United's defense twice.

Copenhagen 3-3 Manchester United (Lerager, 83')⚽️

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 21:55 Mike Collier

Drama late, 83 minutes. After giving up the penalty, Lukas Lerager runs nimbly in behind Diogo Dalot and meets a cross that crosses to the far post.

After he volleys it past Andre Onana, Copenhagen is once again at par.

Man United 2-3 Copenhagen

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 21:53 Mike Collier

81 minutes: Garnacho earns a corner for Man Utd with a fantastic push. Before putting the ball in its proper location, Bruno Fernandes takes his time clearing the field of several obstructions.

When he finally flicks the ball inside the box, Grabara arrives to retrieve it. When Maguire prods him, the goalie spills the ball, which the defender puts in the back of the net, but not before the whistle blows for a goalkeeper foul.

Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 21:49, Copenhagen 2-3 Man Utd Mike Collier

78 minutes: As the game nears its end, Manchester United will probably see a lot of activity within their own final third.

Rasmus Falk flicks the corner ball back into the area after Bruno Fernandes wins it and nods it away. This time, Scott McTominay makes the highest jump and clears the ball.

Man United 2-3 Copenhagen

At 21:47 on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, Mike Collier

75 minutes: 15 minutes for the Copenhagen game. United now sit second in the standings as Galatasaray is losing to Bayern Munich in the other Group A match.

Can they win this match?

Man United 2-3 Copenhagen

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 21:43 Mike Collier

72 minutes: Based on the refereeing style used for this match, any blow to the arm within the box is probably going to result in a penalty. As United looks to finish this game, they must keep that in mind.

GOAL! Man Utd 2-3 Copenhagen (Fernandes, 69')♰️

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 21:41 Mike Collier

69 minutes Select that one.

With twenty minutes remaining in the match, Bruno Fernandes scores a goal from a penalty kick, giving United the lead. Do they need more luck than that?

Manchester United is penalized!

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 21:39 Mike Collier

Copenhagen 2, 2. Man U.S.

VAR is investigating a possible handball in minute 67. Harry Maguire is found after Bruno Fernandes lofts a free kick into the area. He nods the ball onto Lukas Lerager's extended arm.

The referee is summoned over to see the replays on the monitor. He indicates the location.

Man United 2-2 Copenhagen

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 21:36 Mike Collier

65 minutes: Bardghji rapidly recovers as Amrabat loses the ball in midfield. He checks to the left and fires a shot that goes high and wide.

It seems like United are becoming tired, but they get a break when Denis Vavro fouls Rasmus Hojlund.

Man United 2-2 Copenhagen

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 21:35 Mike Collier

63 minutes: Elyounoussi tips the ball to Viktor Claesson after Copenhagen gets it inside the area. He attempts a shot, but Harry Maguire blocks it at the near post.

Even if the defense has been strong since the interval, the game still has a ways to go.

Mohamed Elyounoussi was replaced by Roony Bardghji for the home team.

Man United 2-2 Copenhagen

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 21:32 Mike Collier

60 minutes: The scene is back to normal after an hour of playback in Denmark. United is being more watchful, and Copenhagen seems to be concerned about the possibility of a counterattack.

This game may need a creative spark to unlock.

Man United 2-2 Copenhagen

Tuesday, November 8, 2023, 21:29 Mike Collier

56 minutes: United defends with almost the whole squad as Copenhagen seems a touch disoriented in the last third. Inside the box, their choices are limited, as a cross from the left floats out of play.

Man Utd 2-2 Copenhagen Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 21:23 Mike Collier

Save! 53 minutes! Denis Vavro strikes the Man Utd goal with a long-range shot, forcing Andre Onana to make a low save to his right.

There, the goalie commits no errors.

Vavro, however, might have performed better; Copenhagen has the strength in numbers and just needs time to overcome United.

Man Utd 2-2 Copenhagen Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 21:22 Mike Collier

51 minutes: Harry Maguire attempts to give the United assault a little momentum, but he lofts his cross-field ball over Aaron Wan-Bissaka's head and out of play.

Now, Copenhagen gathered their first possession of the half. United retreats right away.

Man Utd 2-2 Copenhagen Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 21:19 Mike Collier

48 minutes: Early in the second half, Manchester United wants to hold onto the ball. With Copenhagen having a man advantage, they are bouncing the ball about the defense and searching for gaps that are unlikely to materialize.

the second part! Copenhagen 2, 2. Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 21:17, Man Utd Mike Collier

Christian Eriksen is replaced in midfield by Sofyan Amrabat as Manchester United makes an introduction. Erik ten Hag is taking a more defensive stance, which means the visitors will make more use of the counterattack.

Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 21:15 HT Copenhagen 2-2 Man Utd Mike Collier

Regarding Marcus Rashford's red card, Owen Hargreaves told TNT Sports, "No, not in a million years." Marcus is only attempting to advance his leg toward the ball.

Not even his eyes are on the ball. It is terrible to watch a still serving as the referee. It's not malevolent, nor is it significant foul play.

"I think that's where the referee's understanding has to come into it," Paul Scholes said. It's a mishap. He's attempting to shield the ball by planting his foot.

Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 21:12, HT Copenhagen 2-2 Man Utd Mike Collier

Since Bayern Munich versus Man City in November 2014, Manchester United are the first team to score two goals, have a player sent off, and give up a penalty in the first half of a Champions League encounter.

2-2 Man Utd HT Copenhagen Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 21:08 Mike Collier

For the second time this season, Manchester United led by two goals in a game for a short period of time thanks to two goals in thirty minutes from Rasmus Hojlund.

Can Hojlund win this game with another goal?

2-2 Man Utd HT Copenhagen Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 21:04 Mike Collier

Everything was going Manchester United's way. Throughout the first portion of the half, they were in a separate class. Twice, Rasmus Hojlund scored, and they seemed at ease with the possession.

And then everything went wrong.