It started so well for Manchester United.
The welcome message from Copenhagen’s ultras, a tifo reading “Your theatre of nightmares”, had seemingly not had the desired effect for the hopeful hosts, who only narrowly lost 1-0 at the Theatre of Dreams last month.
Rather than subduing United, it appeared to spur them on, and not only that, it was the man from the Danish capital, who graduated from Copenhagen’s academy, who had the visitors firing.
Two goals from Rasmus Hojlund, which took his tally to five in the Champions League this season compared to zero in the Premier League – saw United take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Only in the 42nd minute did the first half, and ultimately the match, turn into a nightmare…
Rashford’s ‘slow motion’ red
“No way is that a red card for Rashford!” said Jamie Carragher on X, adding: “Hate these slow motion replays and still images that make everything look 10 times worse.”
Carragher was backed by fellow pundits Ian Wright and Steve Bruce, but what mattered was the opinion of referee Donatas Rumsas, who showed Marcus Rashford a straight red card following a VAR review.
Rashford trod on Elias Jelert’s ankle when attempting to shield the ball, and Robbie Savage conceded it was “100 per cent” a red card on TNT Sports’ coverage.
Maguire handball
Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back for Copenhagen before the hosts were then awarded a penalty in the seventh minute of first-half injury time.
Harry Maguire was deemed to have handled the ball, which also appeared to strike Raphael Varane’s arm first, with Diogo Goncalves going on to convert the penalty and level for Copenhagen.
This call was less contentious, but to add salt to the wounds for United, it was the first time a team has conceded a penalty in their opening four matches of a Champions League campaign.
To top off a wild first half, it almost reached the hour-mark, with the referee blowing the half-time whistle after 14 minutes added on.
Another harsh handball?
Uefa’s strict handball rules then bit Copenhagen, with Lukas Lerager in contention for the ball against Maguire but deemed to have handled it nevertheless.
That gave Bruno Fernandes the opportunity to restore United’s lead, and he did just that, finding the top corner in the 69th minute.
But the joy ended there for United. Lerager then made amends when equalising at the back post, before Roony Bardghji lifted the roof of Parken with the 87th-minute winner.
Defeat leaves United bottom of Group A with two matches remaining. United travel to Galatasaray on 29 November then host Bayern Munich in their final group game on 12 December.
Scholes: Not the time to sack Ten Hag
Paul Scholes, a two-time Champions League winner with United, said on TNT Sport that the pressure should not ramp up on Ten Hag after an “unlucky” night.
“I still don’t feel like there’s that much pressure on Erik ten Hag,” he said. “He had a good year and bought some time. He’s had bad injuries but nine defeats in 17 is not good enough.
“I know United have sacked before, but I don’t think they can afford to keep doing that.
“Ten Hag got unlucky tonight, but United put up a good fight. They lacked a bit of leadership. It’s not easy to play away in Europe.
“It’s just that collapsing that’s hurting them. Once they concede one it feels like another is coming. You can’t keep doing that every week.”
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