13-time English Premier League champions and football giants Manchester United have been struggling this season, especially in their European cup endeavours that saw them without any UEFA Champions League wins this season prior to the Copenhagen game at Old Trafford last night. Fortunately, in Matchday 3 of the competition, the Red Devils finally put their earlier turmoil behind them and got their first Champions League win over Danish side F.C. Copenhagen before their emotional home fans. Dutch manager Erik ten Hag had to thank former club captain Harry Maguire and new signing André Onana for United’s crucial 1-0 Champions League win last night.
Maguire and Onana Turned From Scapegoats to United’s Heroes
30-year-old defender Maguire had been under the spotlight for the wrong reasons for both England and Manchester United in recent years, while André Onana had not been able to play his best since his transfer from Italian Serie A powerhouses Inter Milan last summer transfer window, conceding 20 goals in 12 games in all competitions in his United career so far. On the other hand, these two underperforming players became the Red Devils’ saviours against F.C. Copenhagen last night, after Maguire scored the winning goal and Onana saved a last-minute penalty from the visitors to seal that all-important Champions League win for ten Hag’s men.
Both Maguire and Onana continued to start for ten Hag’s Manchester United in Matchday 3 of this season’s UEFA Champions League, as the Dutchman made a couple of changes at the back of his starting 11 that faced Sheffield United a few days earlier, whereas F.C. Copenhagen only saw one replacement in the initial squad that was narrowly defeated by Bayern Munich at home last Matchday. Coming into the game, Manchester United and F.C. Copenhagen had been without any Champions League wins in this year’s competition, and their hungers to earn that vital first victory were displayed in the form of shots, with both teams combined for a whooping total of 31 shots in 90 minutes plus added time.
Things were hanging in the balance for most parts of the game, until Maguire drew first blood for the home side 18 minutes before the added time was given in the second half. Midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who replaced Maguire as the Manchester United skipper starting this season onwards, delivered a poor corner kick that was repelled by the F.C. Copenhagen’s defence, before the Red Devils regrouped and sent another cross via substitute Christian Eriksen. The Danish midfield maestro found Maguire in the penalty box, who then headed a bounced shot past goalkeeper Kamil Grabara. The strike was Maguire’s first goal for United since the 2020/2021 Season.
HARRY!!@FlexUTD reacts to Harry Maguire putting #MUFC 1-0 up against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford 🔴⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/dZbRCrh19p
— United View (@unitedviewtv) October 24, 2023
United’s First Champions League Win Since November 2021
United were almost denied their first Champions League win in 2023/2024, since a penalty was given in the final stretch of the game. With seconds left on the clock, Scott McTominay fouled Norway international Mohamed Elyounoussi in the dangerous zone during a corner, prompting referee to award a spot kick for the visitors. It is worth mentioning that the penalty versus F.C. Copenhagen was the second one McTominay committed in two games, having been the hero of the team in with two stoppage-time efforts in their dramatic 2-1 victory over Brentford in the English Premier League earlier this month.
26-year-old Swedish striker Jordan Larsson, son of former European Golden Shoe winner and Manchester United player Henrik Larsson, stepped up to take the following spot kick, and his left-footed shot was perfectly guessed by Onana, who denied the equaliser for the visitors and earned a pivotal first 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League win for the Red Devils with his save.
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Three Wins in Three for ten Hag’s Red Devils
The 1-0 game against F.C. Copenhagen not only was Manchester United’s first Champions League win for the season, it was also the team’s first Champions League win since November 2021, when they defeated Villarreal CF at Estadio de la Cerámica. In light of third win in three recent matches, ten Hag showed his appreciation towards his new goalkeeper Onana, saying that “He showed personality and he knows that before was not the levels what his skills are. He didn’t match his skills and he could do better. I think Saturday (against Sheffield United) was a very good performance and today as well. Also, don’t forget that brilliant save just after half-time in the counterattack.”
The 53-year-old also hailed Maguire for his brilliant performance in the match. “He is playing much more proactive in possession, stepping in, passing vertical. Defending also on the front foot, also stepping in, defending forward. Very confident in the duels. I think he is dominating, in the right moment putting in the aggression and dominating his opponents. Then you see you also get rewarded, of course it’s a very good skill from him his heading, but I have to say great pass from Christian (Eriksen) as well but a very good finish.”
With German Bundesliga 1’s Bayern Munich overcoming Turkish Süper Lig’s Galatasaray S.K. 3-1 at RAMS Park in another Matchday 3 fixture of the 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League Season, Manchester United are now within a single point from the top two spots of Group A, and they will travel to Parken Stadium for the return leg versus F.C. Copenhagen a fortnight later. Ten Hag’s Red Devils are expected to get another UEFA Champions League win in Matchday 4 to boost their chances of progressing into the next round of the European club football tournament this year.
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