In a dramatic contest, Manchester United secured their first victory in the Champions League this season with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over FC Copenhagen. Harry Maguire’s second-half header and a crucial penalty save by goalkeeper Andre Onana in stoppage time were the defining moments of the match.
United manager Erik ten Hag expressed his elation, saying, “Of course it is incredible and a great night, especially in the dying seconds when you concede a penalty, but a brilliant save from Andre Onana.”
After a one-year absence from the competition, Ten Hag’s side climbed to third place in Group A after collecting a valuable three points in three games. Bayern Munich leads the group with nine points following their 3-1 victory over Galatasaray earlier.
The outcome appeared uncertain when Copenhagen’s Jordan Larsson, son of former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson, stepped up to take a penalty in the 94th minute. The opportunity arose after Scott McTominay’s attempted clearance resulted in a high boot that struck Elias Achouri in the head. However, Onana’s remarkable dive to his left ensured the penalty was denied, and he was embraced by his jubilant teammates at the final whistle.
Onana shared his thoughts after the match, saying, “I’m just doing my job, the most important thing is to win against a tough team. I am happy for the victory; we did a good game and a big goal from Harry. We are Manchester United. We are a big club, big players. It’s just a matter of time; now we have to continue like this. I have no doubt we will make it.”
Harry Maguire, who has faced criticism from fans in recent months, earned a standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd when he broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute. Christian Eriksen’s precise long ball into the area found the defender at the far post.
Maguire expressed his gratitude for the fans’ support and reflected on his journey, stating, “It is amazing. When you are not on your game, it gets picked up, but I am really proud and pleased about how I have acted over these six to twelve months. I have been given an opportunity, and I want to help the team and get the club back to where it should be.”
The night began on a somber note with a tribute to club legend Bobby Charlton, who passed away at the age of 86 on Saturday. It concluded with jubilant fans singing “There’s only one Bobby Charlton.”
This victory marked Manchester United’s first win in the Champions League since their 2-0 away victory at Villarreal on November 23, 2021.
The match saw a mixed start for United, with a challenging first half marked by errant passes and missed tackles, leading to boos from the home crowd at halftime. However, a series of near misses in the second half, including Maguire’s crucial goal, ultimately secured the win.
Copenhagen manager Jacob Neestrup acknowledged the closely contested match, saying, “We were better in the first half. (United) started the second half better, but the last 15 minutes were equal again. We are that close, to keep the game alive that late in the game.”
Manchester United will face Copenhagen in their next Champions League encounter on November 8.
