Manchester United priceless Champions League victory
Manchester United beat Copenhagen on penalties saved by Andre Onana in added time.
United fans thought Harry Maguire’s first goal since February 2022 had given them the win they craved on an emotional night that began with a lone piper playing the United anthem “We’ll Never Die”.
With four minutes of added time remaining, Scott McTominay conceded a penalty by swinging a high boot dangerously close to Mohamed Elyounoussi’s face.
Despite being criticized since his £47m summer move from Inter Milan, Onana turned Jordan Larsson’s attempt wide with the game’s final action.
After successive defeats, Erik ten Hag’s side breathed new life into their Champions League campaign with the victory.
The overall performance of United didn’t stand up to much scrutiny but, as on Saturday, the manner of the victory was secondary to the outcome given the enormous legacy of the man they were trying to honor.
Erik ten Hag said, “The first half was not so good – a difficult game. They were well organised and it was hard to create chances.
The second half was better. First half pressing was not frequent, so the second half both things were better and the build-up was better.
There were more switches and we created more chances. The win was justified, but it was a narrow victory.”