
Manchester United’s latest farce points to an early Champions League exit
Worse than a defeat that could decide Manchester United’s Champions League season, this was almost multiple losses in one as Erik ten Hag’s hapless side found new ways to just collapse. Twice. An evening that had almost everything left United with nothing, and looking so unconvincing. It wasn’t quite defeat from the jaws of victory but farce from the semblance of competence. United somehow lost 4-3 in Copenhagen to leave themselves in danger of going out at the group stage for the third time in eight years. They are currently bottom of the group, but that only comes after they just bottomed out. United had been leading mere minutes from the end of normal time in both halves and, incredibly, twice went in behind. The second was of course the one that mattered, as Ten Hag’s side disappeared from view to the soundtrack of raucously celebrating Copenhagen fans. This was one of the greatest nights of their history. It was one of United’s most miserable recent results, which is saying something. There were mitigating factors, such as Marcus Rashford’s contentious red card, but they don’t fully explain this. It is why the word “somehow” does a lot of the heavy lifting here, in the way United’s ponderous midfield didn’t. The blunt truth was that this brought together many of the problems Ten Hag has been enduring from this season. Above anything, beyond the lack of tactical idea, there was the lack of conviction. That’s where the biggest issue lies. It just should never have got to this in the modern Champions League against a club as moderately resourced as Copenhagen. It should never be the case that a serial Champions League winner like Raphael Varane offers up a late pass like that. It said so much about the game, and what was wrong. The manner of their final two match-winning goals were so easy, and the most damning aspect of that was they almost represented a mirror of how the game started. The defeat was all the more galling because of how good it looked. United were through and ahead without even doing too much. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was presented with a route down the right that saw Scott McTominay free right by the goal. He so easily squared for Rasmus Hojlund to just slot in. The young Dane was back where he grew up and making himself at home again. The second was an even easier finish, although did admittedly require more graft to get there. It had also come out of a situation where there was a warning for United. Copenhagen were beginning to get at their defence more. Openings were appearing. Through that, though, a massive opening appeared behind them. From one defensive clearance, Alejandro Garnacho just surged forward to force a save from Kamil Grabara but there was Hojlund to just tap it in again. It looked so easy but of course came from a pounding run as the rest of the Copenhagen defence was concentrating on Garnacho. That was an admittedly rare burst, though. It was conspicuous even before that goal that United were trying to cautiously control the game. It was like Ten Hag was trying to build confidence in the gameplan again. They were so studiously keeping possession and looking to construct moves, but without too many strides. That made what followed all the more ironic. The game quickly went out of all control. Perhaps the two are connected. It might not have got to that had they seized the initiative. But they were 2-0 ahead. It should have been safe. It ended up coming down to an interpretation over Marcus Rashford’s level of control. Either way, the referee judged it was a red card, and off the forward went. That happened at 42 minutes, which might have been time enough for United to just see it to half-time. There were instead a massive 13 minutes of stoppage time, although two of those were admittedly for moments unrelated to play. One was when a supporter ran on with a Palestinian flag. Another, shortly afterwards, was when a different fan had to be tended to by medics. The stadium announcer mercifully stated soon afterwards that he was awake and well. All of that still meant there were more than 20 minutes for United to play through until the break, but they began to fold with alarming speed. Diogo Goncalves had already hit the bar with a free-kick. On exactly 45 minutes, he squared for Mohamed Elyounoussi to finish. The Copenhagen crowd had already been buoyant, especially behind that goal, but they were by now electric. There was that sense of opportunity. It was far from the last time that was to happen. It was also a moment that brought another debatable decision - although this admittedly the least of them. The ball struck Harry Maguire’s hand in the area, and Goncalves struck his penalty well. There were a mere 10 minutes between Rashford’s red and the penalty decision. Making the result even worse, they were then granted a reprieve through a decision that was far more debatable. There was another handball that can only be described as a “Champions League decision”. Bruno Fernandes at least ensured the penalty was beyond doubt, smashing it into the top corner. This, with 10 men, was when Ten Hag’s more cautious control might have been warranted. They should have just seen the game out in a professional and tactical manner. That’s just now how you can describe United at the moment, though. They have persistently been playing with the fear that it can all suddenly go wrong, as if one bad moment can lead to an entire bad game. So it was. There was another lightning quick collapse, the goals even easier than those Hojlund had plundered in the first half. On 83 minutes, Rasmus Falk crossed for Lukas Lerager to finish from close range. On 87, substitute Roony Bardghji smashed home a deserved goal that saw the Parken Stadion erupt. The game ended with Copenhagen, and their budget that is a fraction of United’s, just playing the ball around with ease. The next game away to Galatasaray now might be one the entire season - and potentially Ten Hag’s future - hinges on. Read More Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli dazzle to lead Arsenal towards Champions League last-16 Man Utd throw away lead twice after Rashford red in damaging Copenhagen defeat Copenhagen vs Man Utd LIVE: Champions League result and reaction Rumours: Chelsea and Man Utd want £43m full-back as Arsenal delay Toney chase Jacob Neestrup: Parken atmosphere is 100 times more intense than Old Trafford
2023-11-09 07:01

US regulators sue SolarWinds and its security chief for alleged cyber neglect ahead of Russian hack
U.S. regulators have sued SolarWinds and its top security executive for fraud for allegedly concealing poor cybersecurity practices ahead of the Texas-based technology company's stunning hack by Russian spies
2023-10-31 07:40

Immaculate Grid baseball: Answers, connections for Grid 86 (June 28)
Breaking down the June 28 Immaculate Grid baseball game with players and connections for Grid 86 that involve the Orioles, A's, Padres, Twins and more.MLB fans can't get enough of the Immaculate Grid baseball game and the June 28 game, Grid 86, offers a ton of fun for fans to try and t...
2023-06-28 22:47

Dellandrea's goals give Stars win at Vegas in NHL playoffs
Ty Dellandrea scored twice in 87 seconds during the third period on Saturday, giving the Dallas Stars a 4-2 NHL playoff victory at Vegas...
2023-05-28 11:08

USWNT: October's international window provides a glimpse into the future
After a lackluster first 135 minutes of football against Colombia, the youth on the USWNT roster took over, concluding the October window with good vibes.
2023-11-01 02:00

Dame Is Practically Giving Its Vibrators Away For Its Anniversary Sale — & Prices Start At Just $24
If you know anything about Libras, you know that they embody gorgeous aesthetics, a love for all things lovely, and have a really hard time making up their minds. As a fellow Libra, it was no surprise to me when I learned that sexual wellness brand, Dame, falls under my star sign. Back in October 2014, the powerhouse duo of professional sexologist Alexandra and MIT engineer Janet Lieberman took the internet by storm with Eva, a wearable hands-free vibrator (which according to Dame’s site is the most crowdfunded sex toy in history). In the last nine years, Dame has committed itself to creating pleasure products that are both elegantly chic as well as effective, aiming to lessen the pleasure gap with each new release. Today, Dame Products sells eight incredible vibrators of all kinds, from suction vibrators to some of the best clitoral stimulators, as well as wellness products like arousal gels, sex pillows, and pretty much anything else you need to turn yourself on.
2023-10-18 04:03

GATSBY Chocolate on 'Shark Tank': How and where to buy premium low calories and low sugar chocolate
With GATSBY Chocolate you no longer have to make a choice between counting calories and enjoying your favorite chocolate
2023-09-30 04:30

Who is HB Monte? 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 contestant surpasses 800K streams on Spotify
HB Monte's song 'Luv Ya Better' with Lumidee's collaboration garners massive Spotify attention as he enters 'America's Got Talent' Season 18
2023-08-02 05:01

Burrow-led Bengals try to get season back on track in road game against the Cardinals
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t looked like an elite team through four weeks
2023-10-06 06:57

Where to Upgrade Your Ship in Starfield
Here's where you can upgrade your ship in Starfield.
2023-09-07 04:31

1973's The Exorcist is even too scary for The Prince of Darkness aka Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne has revealed 'The Exorcist' is his top horror movie.
1970-01-01 08:00

Turkey elections: Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu offer stark choices for presidency
Turks are at a historic turning point, facing dramatically different visions of their country.
1970-01-01 08:00
You Might Like...

Strong ad show from Alphabet, Snap puts the spotlight on Meta

Kanye West and his curvaceous 'wifey' Bianca Censori step out hand in hand from West Hollywood hotspot

Apple Figures Out How to Update iOS on Unopened iPhones

Rep. Santos faces new charges he stole donor IDs, made unauthorized charges to their credit cards

Olivia Dunne shuts down troll with perfect comeback amid personal security measures

Acer Swift Go 16 Review

Georgia prosecutors have text messages linking Trump team to voting system breach, report says

EA's Lord Of The Rings game is still in development