Man Utd vs FC Copenhagen LIVE: Champions League result as Andre Onana saves penalty to rescue win
Manchester United 1-0 FC Copenhagen: Maguire and Onana were the heroes to earn the Red Devils a crucial three points after Old Trafford paid its respects to Sir Bobby Charlton
Harry Maguire headed a second-half goal and goalkeeper Andre Onana saved a penalty deep in stoppage time to power Manchester United to a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen for their first victory in the Champions League this season.
Back in the competition after a one-year absence, Erik ten Hag’s side moved into third place in Group A after collecting a precious three points after three games. Bayern Munich top the group with nine points after beating Galatasary 3-1 earlier.
The victory looked in doubt when Copenhagen’s Jordan Larsson stepped up to the spot after Scott McTominay attempted a clearance and caught Elias Achouri in the head with a high boot in the 94th minute. But Onana dived to his left to push the shot away before being mobbed by team mates at the final whistle.
Maguire, who has been the target of fan abuse in recent months, had the Old Trafford faithful on their feet when he broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, Christian Eriksen’s long ball into the area finding the defender at the far post.
A night that began on a solemn note with a tribute to club great Bobby Charlton, who died on Saturday at age 86, ended in celebration with fans singing “There’s only one Bobby Charlton”.
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Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen
Erik ten Hag’s team took part in the Europa League in 2022/23, finishing second in their group behind Real Sociedad and then beating Barcelona and Real Betis in the knockout rounds before being eliminated in the quarter-finals by another Spanish side, eventual winners Sevilla.
United won four of their six home games in last season’s Europa League and the defeat to Galatasaray was their fourth in their last 23 European matches at Old Trafford (they’ve won 15 of those).
Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen
That 2020 match against Copenhagen is Manchester United’s last against a Danish club.
United’s most recent encounters before that fixture came against Midtjylland in the 2015/16 Europa League round of 32 where they recovered from a 2-1 first-leg loss in Denmark to win 5-1 in Manchester.
Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen
The most recent meeting between the teams saw Manchester United beat Copenhagen in a one-off Europa League quarter-final in Cologne with Bruno Fernandes scoring the only goal from the penalty spot in the 95th minute.
The clubs’ only other meetings came in the 2006/07 Champions League.
United won 3-0 at Old Trafford with Paul Scholes opening the scoring. A fortnight later Copenhagen, who were in the group stage for the first time, claimed their first victory thanks to Marcus Allbäck’s 73rd-minute winner.
United ended up topping the group and went on to reach the semi-finals, while Copenhagen finished fourth with seven points.
Sir Bobby Charlton set high standards says Ten Hag
Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, is hoping his team can live up to the high standards set by Sir Bobby Charlton when they take to the field against FC Copenhagen tonight.
“As you say, Bobby was a legend. A giant. Not only for Manchester United but for football,” Ten Hag said during his pre-match press conference.
“What he left were the standards. The high standards we have to live every day and of course, first of all, our thoughts are with his family. With his wife, with his children, with his grandchildren.
“But what he meant for Manchester United, the importance, the standards he set, we have to live and the last couple of days, they were emphasised.”
Ten Hag on Copenhagen
Erik ten Hag gave his pre-match thoughts about Manchester United’s opponents tonight saying: “They are doing very well.
“Against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich they play two very good games. So it’s an opponent who is very strong, very physical, very well organised. But as I said, it’s about us and how we play against them.”
Sir Bobby Charlton: England’s greatest ever player and the artist of 1966
Two elderly men were suited. In one case, he was much smarter than normal, dressed up for the occasion. He was the taller, more angular, with the more pronounced Northumbrian accent, but the resemblance was nonetheless apparent. He was the older, too, and had long referred to a knight of the realm as “Our Kid”. He adopted a slightly more formal approach, while seemingly choking up. “Bobby Charlton is the greatest player I’ve ever seen,” he said. “He’s me brother.”
It was 15 years ago, when Jack Charlton presented his younger brother with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. The clip has an added poignancy after Bobby’s death at 86; three years ago, a couple of months after his 85th birthday, Jack had died.
The brothers were different players and very different characters – the wisecracking, outspoken Jack was more of a man of the people, but Bobby’s quiet dignity gave him a statesmanlike air. They were not always close but their achievements will live on. There have been 22 men’s football World Cups and only two sets of brothers have won the most prestigious of prizes: Fritz and Ottmar Walter for West Germany in 1954, Bobby and Jack Charlton at West Germany’s expense in 1966.
Sir Bobby Charlton: England’s greatest ever player and the artist of 1966
The face of English football for decades, the World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner’s legacy will live on following his death at the age of 86
Dalot on Charlton’s legacy
“I mean it was something that individually, when I arrived at the club that I tried to know a bit more about the history of the club,’’ said Diogo Dalot about first joining Manchester United and learning about Bobby Charlton.
“Whether it was the close history or a little bit more long history. Hearing about Sir Bobby was something that you had to hear, no matter what.
“If you were here for one day or for several years, you obviously had to know him. This type of legend is something is someone you should follow. Not just on the impact at the club, but also for English football, for world football he was an example.
“For something like me who likes to follow good examples, he was definitely one of those and he will be present on me for the rest of my career.”
Dalot on Charlton
Diogo Dalot was on pre-match press duties for Manchester United and was asked about the impact Sir Bobby Charlton had on the club.
Dalot, who scored a late winner against Sheffield United at the weekend, has seen that goal compared with some of Charlton’s as tributes for the United legend continue to flood it.
“I mean first it is a big privilege,” said the defender. “When you combine Sir Bobby’s goal and they relate to one of yours, it is always a privilege to hear that. I was fortunate enough to get to know him since I arrived at the club and he would often be there after the games with us, no matter if we won the game or lost the game.
“He was always there to be ready to give you a word of appreciation, he would often say that we have to play a little bit better. But that just represents the standard of the club and the standard that he wanted for this club.
“I think this is something that we have to look back and see, if legends like this got the club to win the best titles, the best games, scoring the best goals, we have to follow those steps. He was one of those that for sure you should follow in his steps.”
Fans lay flowers and scarves at Old Trafford following death of Bobby Charlton
Manchester United fans have flocked to Old Trafford to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton following his death aged 86.
A book of condolence was opened at 10am on Sunday 22 October in the International Suite and supporters laid flowers and scarves and left messages for one of their most famous sons.
Manchester United can take inspiration from Sir Bobby Charlton on must-win European night
Many have already flocked to Old Trafford over the past few days following the death of Sir Bobby Charlton, but tonight’s visit of Copenhagen in the Champions League offers the masses a chance to pay tribute.
“With the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, their hero and the legend, [the night] will be more emotional,” Erik ten Hag said. Charlton defined United for many. Then, as the club lost its way, he defined what it should stand for: flair on the field, dignity and humility off it. “The standards he set, they were emphasised in the last couple of days,” added Ten Hag.
Old Trafford is testament to Charlton’s life and legacy, as well as to the importance of Europe to United. There are stands named after only two men: Charlton, the 1968 European Cup-winning captain, and Ferguson, the manager of the teams who won the Champions League in 1999 and 2008.
Man Utd can take inspiration from Sir Bobby Charlton on must-win night
Old Trafford will host an emotional night following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton but Erik ten Hag’s side must get a result against FC Copenhagen to keep their Champions League hopes intact
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