Old Trafford gave up one day to Harry Maguire. Yes, the defender who endured the wrath of the fans for his mistakes for months gave his goal against FC Copenhagen (1-0) three important points for the continuation of Manchester United in the Champions League, which started the group with two losses.
Maguire scored but André Onana was equal or more decisive when stopping a penalty, with time expired, to Jordan Larsson, son of the legendary Henrik Larsson, former United and FC Barcelona player, among others.
A long-suffering victory at an Old Trafford that gave an emotional pre-match tribute to the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton, died on Saturday. United coach Erik ten Hag laid a wreath in the center circle allowing a few moments of applause and another moment of silence in memory of the great symbol of the English club.
FC Copenhagen is off to a surprising start
A gesture full of intensity that seemed to rub off on the players in the opening minutes of the match as FC Copenhagen surprised the ‘red devils’ with two quick chances. In the 2nd minute, André Onana had to do his best to deflect a shot from outside the area by Elias Achoui and, in the 4th minute, Diogo Gonçalves crashes a volley over the post after center from Mohamed Elyounoussi.
The Danes started the match with personality and controlled the ball well, but United gradually overcame the poor start and balanced the game by relying on Diogo Dalot and Sergio Reguilón on the wings.
Höjlund disagrees with his brother
A delivery from Madrid that extended to Marcus Rashford was allowed Rasmus Höjlund has a good chance but the Dane’s left-footed shot against his compatriots went over the crossbar (15′). The forward didn’t match with his brother Oscar because he entered injury time when Ten Hag replaced him.
A United without a ball outlet
United seemed to find their way but their play lacked continuity. Despite their greater possession, they failed to get the ball out and sometimes their players passed it to each other in the middle of the field without finding space, so the pace was slow and the chances were few and far between. opportunity.
An organized FC Copenhagen and applied to defensive work He was complex and he also continued to attack when he could with long deliveries. After the break they surprised again, like in the first half, having two good chances.
The Danes came out more awake again
In the 49th minute, Lukas Lerager completed a great Danish move with a shot that Onana responded with a save. And, in the 50th minute, Achouri’s volley went off the crossbar.
United realized they had to take the bull by the horns and their pace was more typical of a Premier League match. Christian Eriksen, key to this change after replacing Sofyan Amrabat at half-time, He was able to score with a Danish connection, as his low shot, after falling from Höjlund, was picked up by goalkeeper Kamil Grabara near the post.
United gave their game more dynamism, they came at the rival goal with more and more danger and just the rush of Rashford and the newcomer Alejandro Garnacho, After heading to Grabara alone, they were allowed to advance on the scoreboard.
Maguire scored for the first time since February 2022
In the end, it was an unexpected scorer that gave United victory. Eriksen put in a cross after a corner and Harry Maguire put a header near the post (72′). This is the first goal since February 2022 of the English central defender, was abused and booed too many times by his own fans.
Maguire held no grudges and He celebrated the goal by directing the heart formed by the fingers of his hands to the stands. and repeatedly struck the shield with his fist.
Onana saved United in extra time
United managed to close out the game with a double chance from Garnacho, who frustrated Grabara, and Scott McTominay. In fact, success may have eluded him in addition to being consumed. McTominay raised his foot to the height of Elyounoussi’s face to attempt his shot after a corner and the referee, with VAR involved, awarded a penalty.
Jordan Larsson threw it and Onana guessed the intention. Criticized for a number of mistakes, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who was embraced by his teammates, vindicated himself in front of a fan who once beat Maguire with a goal worth its weight in gold.
MANCHESTER UNITED
10
fc copenhagen
Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilón (Lindelöf, 63′); Amrabat (Eriksen, 46′), McTominay; Antony (Garnacho, 63′), Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Rasmus Höjlund (Martial, 86′)
The
FC Copenhagen: Graveyard; Ankersen, Vavro, Diks, Jelert (Sörensen, 77′); Lerager, Falk, Diogo Gonçalves (Jordan Larsson, 85′); Elyounoussi, Claesson (Óskarsson, 76′), Achouri (Oscar Höjlund, 91′)
The
Goal: 1-0 Harry Maguire (72′)
Referee: Marco Guida (Italy). Yellow for Bruno Fernandes (80′), McTominay (95′)
Attendance: 73,249 at Old Trafford
see the match sheet
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
