A Harry Maguire goal and Andre Onana penalty save rescued Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League campaign as the Red Devils beat FC Copenhagen 1-0 in what manager Erik ten Hag had identified as a must-win game.
Copenhagen started far better than the hosts and hit the post after just five minutes through Diogo Goncalves, while five minutes into the second half they came close again, only to be denied by a super Onana save.
Half-time substitute Christian Eriksen forced an equally good save from Copenhagen’s goalkeeper soon after, and was then central to the goal.
When Maguire headed an uninspired United into the lead on 72 minutes, he was nodding home a pinpoint cross delivered by Eriksen.
It sparked a much better closing 20 minutes from the home side, but their hard work was set to be undone when the visitors – with the minimum four minutes of added time up – were awarded a penalty for a Scott McTominay high boot.
However, Onana saved Jordan Larsson’s penalty, getting a strong hand to the shot to keep it out and produce his best moment to date in a United shirt.
The dramatic finish capped an emotional night at Old Trafford, with this the first home game since the passing of club legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
Man United now have three points and are third in Group A, a point off second-placed Galatasaray. Copenhagen are bottom on one point and Bayern Munich are top with three wins from three.
