Copenhagen vs Man United – Champions League: Live score, team news and updates as Bruno Fernandes penalty is cancelled out by late equaliser

FULL TIME: Copenhagen 4-3 Manchester United

Maguire rattles the bar (4-3)

He wins his header and smashes a half-volley towards goal that beats the goalkeeper but smashes into the bar.

United want another penalty but nothing given (4-3)

Larsson controls the ball with the upper part of his arm but it’s probably not enough for handball and United don’t get the decision. Five minutes of additional time.

GOAL COPENHAGEN (4-3)

Disaster for United, ecstasy for Copenhagen as the substitute Roony Bardghji smashes a shot on-target from the centre of the box to give the hosts the lead. The name Roony is chanted around the stadium, how ironic.

Man United substitution (3-3)

It’s a quick sub from Ten Hag as Mount comes on to replace Rasmus Hojlund.

GOAL COPENHAGEN (3-3) Lukas Lerager

It’s sloppy defending from United at a corner as Dalot switches off and a cross is met by Lerager who equalises the game.

McTominay blazes his shot over (2-3)

That was a huge opportunity for United as they win the ball back deep in Copenhagen’s half. Fernandes finds McTominay on the edge of the box but the midfielder is going at such a high speed that he smashes his shot into the stands.

Copenhagen with a corner (2-3)

Achouri wins a corner off of Wan-Bissaka and that gives Copenhagen the chance to bring on some more subsititions. The eventual corner is well cleared.

Off – Vavro, Achouri

On – Larsson, Sorenson

United lead heading into the final 15 minutes (2-3)

The visitors deserve their lead and need to see out the final 15 minutes to claim a hugely important victory. Copenhagen struggling to build the intensity of the match as things stand.

United looking to control the pace (2-3)

United are back in front and they are now trying to control proceedings by playing on the front-foot. Their defence has to be organised against a Copenhagen side who need to start using their man advantage.

GOAL MANCHESTER UNITED (2-3) Bruno Fernandes

It’s a trademark Bruno Fernandes free-kick and he smashes the shot into the top corner. United lead, now they have to hold on!

PENALTY MANCHESTER UNITED (2-2)

The referee reviews the monitor and a penalty is given. Huge moment for United.

Penalty check for Manchester United (2-2)

United players are demanding a penalty for handball as the ball strikes a Copenhagen arm in the box. This has to be a penalty if United’s was given at the other end.

Hojlund is elbowed in the face (2-2)

That is where there are inconsistencies with VAR as Favro – who is on a yellow card – elbows Hojlund deliberately in the face while trying to win a header. That would have been a definite yellow and he should be off.

Copenhagen substitution (2-2)

Here comes a name United supporters will be sort of familiar with as 17-year-old Roony Bardghji is brought on to replace Elyounoussi.

Onana makes a good save (2-2)

Copenhagen are patient and eventually have a chance to shoot from the edge of the box. Goncalves strikes his effort hard but Onana is positioned well and gets his body behind the ball.

United create their own mistakes (2-2)

If you’re going to have the ball then don’t play stupid passes. Dalot makes that mistake and it’s almost fatal as Copenhagen win the ball back on the edge of United’s box and the lack of quality on the final pass was the only thing that let them off.

United building patiently (2-2)

The visitors might be a man less than their opponents but they are controlling this match and now need to start finding a few gaps in defence like they did in the first half. Copenhagen want to play on the counter attack which is normally United’s favoured tactic.

Onana saves long-range effort (2-2)

United get everyone behind the ball as Copehagen come forward and that forces Denis Vavro into shooting from range. Onana saves the tame effort easily.

Copenhagen happy to sit back (2-2)

United are being allowed to control possession by Copenhagen as they sit back and absorb the pressure. The tactic must be to try and play on the counter-attack which is strange given their man advantage.

United looking to calm the chaos (2-2)

The visitors are trying to stifle Copenhagen’s frantic attack by making a few passes around the back and into midfield. Much needed after that chaotic end to the first half.

Manchester United substitution (2-2)

Ten Hag clearly didn’t like the chaotic nature of the end of the first half and Sofyan Amrabat has been brought on in place of Eriksen.

Rashford red card analysis

Marcus Rashford was sent off with a straight red after 42 minutes in Manchester United’s Champions League game against Copenhagen.

The forward was dismissed after a VAR review on his challenge against Elias Jelert.

While Rashford tried to protect the ball, he accidentally stamped on the shin of the Danish defender.

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HALF TIME: Copenhagen 2-2 Man United

That was a crazy half of football and the referees whistle couldn’t have come sooner for United who were hanging on at the end.

Mail Sport’s key talking points are below:

United all over the place since red card (2-2)

There are still going to be chances for United to win this game but they are all over the place defensively after Rashford was sent off.

Fernandes has been pulled out to the wing and United’s midfield is being played through easily. Varane and Maguire meanwhile don’t seem to be on the same wavelength.

GOAL COPENHAGEN (2-2) Diogo Goncalves

Copenhagen are level! They looked done for after United scored twice early on but now have their share of the score. Goncalves made no mistake from the spot.

PENALTY COPENHAGEN (1-2)

It’s harsh on Maguire but his arm was up and the close-range kick of the ball is hit into his arm and Copenhagen have a penalty. United are fuming.

Onana's positioning saves United (1-2)

Copenhagen attack and have a man free on the counter attack. The ball is hoofed up but Onana is positioned in midfield and is there to just boot the ball back up the other end.

United continue to threaten (1-2)

They may be a man down but United believe their best method of defence is to attack. They work the ball well around the edge of the Copenhagen box but things just don’t click.

13 minutes of additional time (1-2)

GOAL COPENHAGEN (1-2) Mohamed Elyounoussi

And just like that Copenhagen are back in the match as the former Southampton man finishes coolly after latching onto a cutback in the box.

Copenhagen rattle the crossbar (0-2)

The resulting free-kick from the edge of the box hits Fernandes on the way through and ends up clattering into the crossbar. United now want this half to be over.

RED CARD Marcus Rashford (0-2)

That is a big call as Rashford is shown a straight red card for the challenge. The discussion will be based around the intentions of the winger but the challenge itself was poor and he had to go.

Red card check on Rashford (0-2)

The United star could be in trouble here. He won the ball back against Elias Jelert and looked to have stamped on the Copenhagen defender’s ankle. That is not a nice tackle and the argument will be over whether it is intentional.

Hojlund shoots just wide (0-2)

Fernandes snipes the ball back again and United are away with Hojlund running in behind. The United striker is pushed wide and his eventual shot trundles just behind.

Visitors in control of proceedings (0-2)

UNited are enjoying a spell without the ball but look really organised and that is just forcing Copenhagen into making mistakes. There’s no space in United’s midfield with Fernandes, McTominay and Eriksen all retreating when out of possession.

Copenhagen mount a rare attack (0-2)

Home supporters unveiled a ‘Theatre of Nightmares’ tifo before the game and so far it’s their own team living up to that name. Copenhagen players mount a hopeful attack that ends with a ball across the box running out for a goal kick. This has been really poor from the hosts.

United pushing for a third before half time (0-2)

This has been United’s best performance so far this season and now they have their tails up. Hojlund fancies his hattrick as he shoots a half-volley goalbound before Maguire tests Copenhagen with a header.

GOAL MANCHESTER UNITED (0-2) Rasmus Hojlund

It’s two for Hojlund and two for United! The move was started by Fernandes who stole back possession on the halfway line and he then fed in Garnacho. The Argentinian took the shot on but Grabara could only parry the ball into Hojlund’s path who tucked into an open net.

Back underway again (0-1)

The break stopped play for a few minutes and we are back underway again. These stoppages are preventing United from getting going and there will be plenty of time added on.

Another stoppage in play (0-1)

We have another stoppage as Harry Maguire points to something happening behind the United goal and the referee blows his whistle to stop play. No idea what happened there but United players don’t look happy.

Onana rescues United (0-1)

Wan-Bissaka is asleep to the threat of Elias Achouri who creeps in behind him and looks to tap-in an equaliser. Fortunately for United, Onana was alert and snuffed out the danger.

United controlling possession well (0-1)

United look confident – how many times have been able to say that this season? – and are just working the ball around the pitch with dynamism. Eriksen is pinging passes together and Rashford is linking up well with Wan-BIssaka. Positive signs for United.

Onana gets us restarted (0-1)

That medical situation has been dealt with and Onana gets the ball rolling again. United will want to keep their early momentum going after scoring so quickly.

Medical emergency in crowd stops match (0-1)

There is a prolonged stoppage in play as a medical emergency is attended to in the crowd. The players meanwhile start going through some drills to keep warm on the pitch.

Man United substitution (0-1)

EVans’ night is prematurely brought to its end and that forces United into an early change. Varane comes on while Evans looks upset with his injury as he continues to receive treatment.

Evans goes down needing treatment (0-1)

Jony Evans has gone down on the edge of his box just seconds after Copenhagen worked their first shot onf the game on target that Onana saved comfortably. The Northern Irishman looks to be in pain as he walks off and could be replaced here.

Pitch invader temporarily stops play (0-1)

A member of the crowd has ran onto the pitch draped in a flag and starts running around before eventually being removed. Play back underway.

Rashford working well on the right (0-1)

The ENglishman prefers to play on the left but is displaced tonight by Alejandro Garnacho. That being said, Rashford has started strongly and looks really comfortable out on the right wing and it was his touch that got Unitedaway for the opening goal.

Hojlund finally benefits from United's approach (0-1)

Much has been made of United failing to play to Hojlund’s strengths this season, but they did exaclty that with their first attack tonight and benefitted from the Dane scoring his fourth Champions League goal.

It was so simple from United and worked so well, they now have their tails up and sense goals.

GOAL MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 Rasmus Hojlund

It’s so simple and so effective as Wan-Bissaka plays a delightful pass round the corner for McTominay who doesn’t panic and looks up to find Hojlund across the six-yard line. He tucks the ball into the net and United lead.

The Dane celebrates emphatically against his boyhood club.

Early penalty shout for Copenhagen (0-0)

That is nervous from United as Scott McTominay bizarrely boots the ball at Harry Maguire in the box and it strikes him on the arm. Fortuantely Maguire was smart enough to have both hands by his side and the referee waves play on.

KICK OFF: Underway in Parken (0-0)

We are underway in tonight’s Champions League clash. Both teams swapped ends after the kick off toss and United will attack the end containing their home supporters in the first half.

United walking into the 'Theatre of Nightmares'

There must be some creative individuals amongst the Copenhagen ultras because they have just unveiled a huge tifo emblazoned with the words ‘Theatre of Nightmares’ and a Red Devils sleeping in a bed.

That’s not what United players will want to see and it’s now up to them to turn this hellish visit into a dream evening in the Champions League.

Players expected out shortly

Warm-ups complete, players back in the dressing rooms and we are less than 10 minutes away from kick off in Copenhagen. This is a must-win for both teams and United are desperate to produce the type of performance that can kick-start their season.

Unrelenting atmosphere is building

Copenhagen’s manager Jacob Neestrup used his pre-match press conference to warn United of the cauldron of noise they were walking into tonight. He wasn’t joking because the Parken Stadium is beginning to build some serious noise.

Expect fireworks tonight, not on the pitch but in the stands!

The concern for United's midfield tonight

It almost seems like Erik ten Hag is still trying to work out what his best midfied is, but tonight there is concern over how an Eriksen, McTominay and Fernandes trio will work.

The last time they were asked to do so came in their recent win over Fulham and before that was against Man City.

Pep Guardiola’s side picked apart United’s almost non-existent midfield and Copenhagen will have been looking at that game to see how they do the same.

The main concern for United supporters is that McTominay struggles to do the defensive work in midfield, while Eriksen and Fernandes often stay forward to try and create chances.

Paul Scholes criticises United's 'limited squad'

Much has been made of Manchester United’s torrid form this season and the Ex-Red Devil isn’t happy with what he has seen from his former team this season.

Scholes doesn’t believe United’s stars aren’t trying but instead labelled Erik ten Hag’s squad as ‘limited’.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Scholes said: ‘I don’t think they’re not trying. I just think ability-wise, it’s quite a limited squad and I think that has shown over the full season.

‘I can’t remember a performance where I thought, “yeah, they look a good team, they play like a team.

‘I don’t think they’re bad players. I think there’s some really good players in there, but when you talk about a team playing like a team, keeping possession, showing nice patterns of play, but it’s not been there so far this season.’

Can Onana deliver more heroics tonight?

United head to Copenhagen having already beaten tonight’s opponents in the reverse leg, but they wouldn’t be in that situation but for the penalty heroics of Andre Onana.

The United goalkeeper has been criticised for his performances since joining from Inter Milan but delivered a moment of brilliance to save Jordan Larsson’s penalty.

He will be hoping such heroics aren’t required tonight but this should be an opponent he feels confident against.

United team news reaction

Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler is in Copenhagen for tonight’s Champions League crunch clash. He has just been reacting to the team that Erik ten Hag has put out and covers the big news that Marcus Rashford is back as Antony is dropped.

How does Group A shape up?

United are currently third in the Group A standings with just one win and two defeats, so tonight is definitely a must-win game. An away trip to Galatasaray and Bayern Munich’s visit to Old Trafford will give United the final chance to pick up points.

GROUP A; AS IT STANDS

Bayern – Played 3, W 3: Points: 9

Galatasaray – Played 3, W 1, D 1, L 1: Points: 4

Man United – Played 3, W 1, L 2: Points: 3

Copenhagen – Played 3, D 1, L 2: Points: 1

Still no space for Raphael Varane

When he came to Manchester United two-years ago Raphael Varane was heralded by supporters as a Champions League defender. It appears nobody has told Erik ten Hag that as the Frenchman again starts on the bench.

Ten Hag revealed ahead of the recent Manchester derby that City won 3-0 that Varane had been dropped for ‘tactical’ reasons and Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire are still preferred.

Varane has remained quiet on the ongoing situation but United fans will be concerned as to how their arguably best defender isn’t being given a chance to start.

COPENHAGEN TEAM NEWS – Oscar Hojlund named on the bench

If Rasmus Hojlund wants to face-off against his younger brother then he will have to wait for Oscar to make an appearance from the bench. There is also space amongst the substitutes for a name United fans will have heard before: Roony.

MAN UNITED TEAM NEWS – Rashford starts

Erik ten Hag brings Marcus Rashford straight back into his starting team for tonight while Rasmus Hojlund is given the nod to lead the line against his boyhood club.

Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans continue their partnership at the heart of United’s defence while Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes will be the midfield three.

Man United will look to Christian Eriksen for inspiration

Eriksen is returning to Denmark tonight and in the form of the midfielder, United have a player who can use his personal story to inspire them in the Champions League.

The 31-year-old joined Erik ten Hag in the pre-match press conference and spoke about the ‘special atmosphere’ of the Parken Stadium on the eve of Manchester United’s crunch Champions League clash with Copenhagen.

It was also Eriksen whose cardiac arrest on the pitch there during Euro 2020 sent the place into an eerie silence and shocked the wider football world.

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Mount's mission to succeed at United

Mason Mount was regarded as one of the best mdfielders in the Premier League and Europe just two-years ago. Now at Man United he is attempting to get his flittering career back on track, but things haven’t gone to plan so far.

Mount was entrusted with the fabled number seven shirt by United after making the summer switch from Chelsea and he now needs to forge a way into Erik ten Hag’s regular starting side.

The main problem is that him and Bruno Fernandes don’t appear capable of playing with one another as they both want to occupy the same position so can Mount redesign himself and start firing for United tonight?

United must find a way to cope without Casemiro

Manchester United’s midfield has been one of the big topics of discussion around the club this season, but tonight they must show they can find a way forward without Casemiro.

The Brazilian has been ruled out until after Christmas with a hamstring injury and there is now a neccesity to fill the gaping defensive gap left without him.

Casemiro was United’s best midfielder last season but has looked off the pace so far this season.

Sofyan Amrabat is the likely member to be trusted in the defensive midfield position by Ten Hag and he needs to show he can do a job if picked to start tonight.

Will Marcus Rashford feature tonight?

The Manchester United winger was injured for their Premier League victory against Fulham last weekend but has recently trained ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash.

Mail Sport’s Man United correspondent spent time earlier looking over the big talking points for United heading into their must-win European game.

Track record favours United

Tonight is the fifth such occasion that United and Copenhagen have met in European competition. The bad news for Red Devils supporters is that their only defeat came at the Parken Stadion on their only trip to Denmark.

Marcus Alback’s goal condemned a United side featuring Edwin van der Sar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney to defeat in 2005.

United have won the three other meetings between the two teams but have only scored more than once in one game.

Hojlund returns to his boyhood club

Rasmus Hojlund is the man tasked with leading Manchester United’s attack, but he used to do that exact job for tonight’s hosts.

The 20-year-old rose through the ranks at Copenhagen before eventually moving to Atalanta and finally onto Old Trafford in a £72m summer transfer.

Tonight he returns to his boyhood team and could be lining up against one of his younger brothers, Oscar.

Good evening; It's crunch time for Manchester United

Hello and thanks for joining us for tonight’s live coverage of Manchester United’s Champions League clash against Copenhagen. The mission is simple for United, win at all odds.

Tonight’s Danish opponents are the only team they have taken points from in the Champions League group stage and they need to take three more tonight to keep their European ambitions alive.

United should have enough firepower to do exactly that, but nothing is straightforward with Erik ten Hag’s side at the moment and defeat would be a disaster.

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