Manchester United’s Champions League hopes dwindle after defeat to Copenhagen

Manchester United’s tumultuous season hit another low point as they suffered a dramatic and qualification-damaging defeat to FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League, leaving their hopes of progressing in the competition in jeopardy.

In a thrilling encounter in the Danish capital, Manchester United displayed moments of guile and resilience, taking the lead twice during the game. Rasmus Hojlund was the hero of the first half, netting a brace against his hometown club with two clinical close-range finishes.

However, the turning point came in the 42nd minute when Marcus Rashford received a red card after a late tackle on Elias Jelert, following a VAR review by referee Donatas Rumsas. This decision left United with 10 men and changed the complexion of the match.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, United initially held Copenhagen at bay and even reclaimed the lead through Bruno Fernandes’ penalty, awarded via VAR for a handball by Lukas Lerager. But the home side fought back, with Lerager redeeming himself by leveling the score with a back-post header, and 17-year-old substitute Roony Bardghji securing the dramatic win for Copenhagen after United failed to clear the ball.

With this defeat, Manchester United now find themselves at the bottom of Group A and facing an uphill battle to secure qualification for the knockout stages. Their next match is an away fixture against Galatasaray, a place they have never won, followed by a home clash with the already-qualified Bayern Munich, making their Champions League journey a challenging one.