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.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is reportedly contemplating the dismissal of Black Starscoach Chris Hughton.

The GFA is expected to discuss this matter at its upcoming meeting, with the coach aware that he has lost the confidence of the local football governing body.

However, the decision is far from straightforward, given the lack of agreement among members of the Executive Council. While some advocate for Hughton’s sacking, others remain unconvinced and want him to lead the team in the upcoming matches against Madagascar and Comoros this month.

Furthermore, any decision to sack Hughton would require government approval, specifically from the Sports Ministry responsible for coach payments. The GFA leadership is sceptical about Hughton’s ability to secure crucial World Cup qualifying victories against Madagascar and Comoros, vital for the 2026 qualification.

Should the decision be officially made, assistant coach George Boateng is expected to step in temporarily. Hughton, appointed in February, faced criticism after consecutive losses to Mexico and the USA. Despite his insistence on being the right man for the job, doubts persist among some GFA members.

Hughton, instrumental in securing Ghana’s qualification to the 2022 World Cup, took over the role from former Ghana international Otto Addo. With seven games under his belt, Hughton’s record includes three wins, two losses, and two draws. However, critiques have emerged regarding the team’s playing style.

As the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations approaches, concerns arise about a potential repeat of the disappointments from the 2021 tournament. Placed in a challenging group with Egypt, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, the Black Stars’ performance under Hughton’s guidance raises uncertainties.

Regardless of the decision made on Friday, the team’s immediate focus shifts to the upcoming matches against Madagascar on November 17 in Kumasi and Comoros four days later in Moroni.

Robert Garland, a Crystal Palace fan, has been handed a three-year football banning order after he racially abused Tottenham and South Korea forward Son Heung-min during a match at Selhurst Park in May.

Garland had previously pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment in August, resulting in a sentence of 60 hours of unpaid work and a fine of £1,384.

However, the initial sentence was appealed by both Tottenham and the Metropolitan Police, which led to the imposition of the three-year football banning order. Under the order, Garland will be unable to attend any regulated football matches for the next three years and will be required to surrender his passport during international fixtures.

Son Heung-min had reported the discriminatory behaviour to the police, emphasizing that he had done nothing to provoke such racist treatment during the match.

The Premier League welcomed the banning order, emphasizing the importance of holding individuals accountable for their discriminatory actions and sending a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Tottenham also expressed its commitment to taking strong action against those responsible for such incidents, highlighting its stance against all forms of discrimination.