Manchester United kept their Champions League hopes alive with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The winning goal came from an unlikely source with Harry Maguire leaping the highest to convert from a beautiful Christian Eriksen cross in the second half.
Everything could have come crashing down for United deep into added time when the visiting side were awarded a penalty for a foul by Scott McTominay on Mohamed Elyounoussi.
United lucky to escape with a win
However, goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has endured a terrible start to life as a United keeper, saved his team’s blushes and ensured the Red Devils opened their account in the competition.
The hosts were once again poor right from the word go and manager Erik ten Hag deserves criticism for his flawed tactics and team selection.
Injuries have certainly robbed the manager of the chance to pick his strongest XI but his choice of personnel and where they play is certainly stopping the team from starting games on the front foot.
Sofyan Amrabat and Bruno Fernandes started as the midfield duo while Scott McTominay played in an advanced position due to his goalscoring prowess.
But that meant United hardly had any control of the midfield and all they did in the opening 45 minutes was hoof the ball long without any real plan.
Playing at home against Copenhagen with three points an absolute necessity required more courage and conviction from Ten Hag and after a lackluster first half, the Dutchman was once again forced to alter his plans.
ETH guilty of selecting the wrong personnel again
At half-time, he brought on Christian Eriksen in midfield and it suddenly opened things up as United slowly began dominating and creating chances.
Alejandro Garnacho’s introduction in place of Antony was another change that needed to be made and once done, the team reaped the benefits with the Argentine a constant thorn in the Danish team’s side.
Ten Hag keeps selecting the Brazilian despite his below-par showings and it needs to stop. The former Ajax winger is clearly not at his best and needs to be dropped for the next game.
The manager clearly likes a left-footed profile out on the right but presently, the Brazil international looks bereft of ideas and the Dutchman cannot keep hoping for a different outcome while selecting the same player.
United keep being reactive instead of proactive and it is costing them so far this season. While the big-name players have let the manager down, Ten Hag is also not helping matters at this present moment..