Manchester United’s damaging defeat in the Champions League last night has left their hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase of the competition hanging by a thread.

On a night of high drama in Denmark, United ended up on the losing side of controversial encounter, with FC Copenhagen eventually winning by four goals to three.

United took a commanding two goal lead in the opening exchanges and looked likely to add to their advantage before Marcus Rashford saw red on the 42nd minute.

Copenhagen equalised shortly after and were then awarded a debatable penalty kick deep into the 13 minutes of added on time in the first half.

As reported by Danish media, Alejandro Garnacho attempted to scuff the penalty spot before Diogo Gonçalves converted to restore parity in the game and swing the momentum toward the home side.

Copenhagen defender Dennis Vavro, who was lucky not to be sent off in the second half, told the written press he spotted the misdemeanour, labelling Garnacho “a clown”.

“I saw he was trying to do something about the penalty, but Kevin Diks was in front and blocked. This is the second time. And then on our trajectory? To me, he’s a clown,” said Vavro.

It was not the first time Garnacho has tampered with a penalty spot after dragging his studs over the Old Trafford turf before Copenhagen took their last gasp penalty in the reverse fixture, two weeks ago.

Andre Onana saved the kick in Manchester but unfortunately couldn’t do anything about Gonçalves cool finish this time around.

“He has the mentality of a kid when he tries something like that again. In an away game. One thing is at home in the 97th minute, but here in the first half. I do not understand why he is trying to do that.” Vavro added.

The United winger clearly irked the Copenhagen players throughout the encounter, with Lukas Lerager another to comment on Garancho’s attitude.

“Then there’s just a situation where I take the ball away from him inside the box, he throws himself, and then I tell him some things that aren’t so nice, but still with respect for him as a human being.”

Larager continued by saying he was happy to remind the young Argentine of the respect levels in the game, no matter who you play for.

“Sometimes people at the big clubs have to go down a little bit. Just know that they are human too. It just doesn’t suit a man like that. And then they need to be told,” he added.

Garnacho was a constant threat on the break for United and was enjoying a particularly good game before Rashford’s dismissal.

The combination of himself, Rashford and Hojlund was causing the hosts nightmares and would surely have put them to the sword had United not been reduced to 10.

However, defeat leaves United bottom of the group and needing to win both their final fixtures to qualify for the next round.

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Manchester United suffered a crushing defeat to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League last night, losing a back-and-forth encounter by four goals to three.

On a dramatic evening in the Danish capital, United were in control of proceedings until the 42nd minute when Marcus Rashford was shown a controversial red card.

The United man was dismissed with his side two goals to the good and looking likely to put their hosts to the sword.

However, a lengthy period of added on time at the end of the first period allowed Copenhagen to draw level before the break after Rashford’s red and completely change the momentum of the game.

A possible offside for Copenhagen’s opener and controversial penalty for the equalizer did nothing for United’s mood going into the break with lady luck well and truly deserting Erik ten Hag’s side.

Bruno Fernandes did put United back in front midway through the second half but it wasn’t enough as the Danes scored twice in the last seven minutes to win the game.

Speaking to MUTV, the captain opened up on the disappointment after the defeat and feels his side deserved something for their efforts.

“It’s disappointment, obviously, I think for everything we did in the game, we could, and should, have got something from the game,” he said.

Fernandes praised his teammates for the spirit showed with 10 men and bemoaned the decisions that went against them on the night.

“It’s difficult at the moment, obviously the mood is not the best because we’ve fought so hard with 10 men that even from then, it was playing against a team that plays really good on the ball and apart from that many decisions was against us,” said Bruno.

The Portuguese midfielder then issued a rallying cry to his teammates, urging them to keep believing they can get out of the group.

“Even before this game, that was still the belief; to win the last three games of the group stage. And now we have two, we have to win them if we want to keep in the Champions League and stay in the best competition, we have to win against the best,” he said.

Should United win the final two fixtures they will qualify for the knockout phase but the difficulty of the opponents does leave their backs against the wall.

Bruno acknowledged the size of the task head but insists United are looking no further than the weekend visit of Luton Town and says they will use that game to get back to winning ways.

“We have a very tough game away against Galatasaray, and after, we play against the top of the group.

We want to win both, but now we have to focus on Luton because it’s going to be a tough game again, we need three points in the league, we need to get back to the winning track after this defeat and keeping the winning track in the Premier League,” he added.

United entertain Luton in a 3pm (GMT) kick-off on Saturday.

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Manchester United’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase of the Champions League are left hanging by a thread after defeat to FC Copenhagen last night left them bottom of Group A.

It was all going to plan for Erik ten Hag and his troops, with the clock ticking towards half-time in Denmark.

Rasmus Hojlund’s impressive double had given United a commanding 2-0 lead and looking more likely to add a third than the home side reducing the arrears.

However, Marcus Rashford’s clash with Copenhagen defender Elias Jelert saw the United forward shown a straight red card and Copenhagen made use of the 13 minutes’ of stoppage time to get into the break on level pegging.

Rashford’s dismissal was no doubt the turning point in a game United were in full control of.

The nature of the decision added insult to injury with the VAR somehow concluding that Rashford had stamped on Jelert rather than getting his body in front of the defender to protect the ball.

It was one of many questionable decisions made on a dramatic night that saw the game see-saw back in United’s favour through Bruno Fernandes’ second-half penalty before Copenhagen scored twice in the final seven minutes to secure the invaluable three points.

As reported by Metro, Jelert was spotted with a bandaged ankle after the game and spoke on the match defining incident, admitting even he felt Rashford was unfortunate to see red.

“It is after the tackle at the red card, which I also think is unfortunate. He just tries to screen, but I get hit high and wiggle my ankle violently. Now that it has cooled, I can feel it is stiff and swollen,” he said.

Jelert also revealed the United man apologised to him after the collision and confirmed his belief that there was no ill-intent behind the incident.

“Yes, when they checked on VAR, he was there to say sorry. So there was nothing malicious about it,” he added.

Rashford will now miss the must-win clash with Galatasaray on Matchday 5.

A defeat in Turkey would officially end United’s return to Europe’s top table and even a win would leave them needing something from the final group game against Bayern Munich.

Before then however, United must get back to winning ways by seeing off Luton Town who visit Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

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Manchester United’s Champions League journey was left hanging by a thread after a dramatic defeat to Danish league leaders, Copenhagen, last night.

In a game wrapped in controversy, United eventually succumbed to a 4-3 defeat at the Parkden Stadium.

As reported by The Daily Mail, an injury to Jonny Evans also added to Erik ten Hag’s headaches as his defensive injury crisis worsens once more.

Raphael Varane’s return from injury is a timely one with the Frenchman replacing Evans and now looking set for a run in the first team.

United haven’t been able to name a settled back four at any point this season, no doubt playing a huge role in their worrying form.

Evans limped off in the 16th minute of last night’s game with a suspected hamstring injury and faces a period on the sidelines.

Playing in his first Champions League game in a decade, the centre-back pulled up early on after starting his fourth game in six.

Perhaps more worrying for Ten Hag is the amount of hamstring injuries United are suffering this season.

Casemiro has been ruled out until the New Year after pulling up in Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle last week and Aaron Wan-Bissaka has just returned to the team from a hamstring injury picked up in the early weeks of the season.

With recurring injuries, there may be a tweak in training methods that could lower the risk of the suffering any more, with United’s squad spread thin.

United’s defeat last night has left them bottom of Group A and needing maximum points in their final two fixtures to stand any chance to qualify for the knockout phase.

However, the two games are made up of a trip to Turkey to face Galatasaray before ending the group against tournament favourites, Bayern Munich.

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Manchester United’s takeover saga has been the major talking point surrounding Old Trafford since the Glazer family opened the club up to the market last November.

A year on, it looks a though Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS consortium have won the race to invest in United after Sheikh Jassim’s full sale offers were rejected by the current owners.

Sir Jim appears to have agreed a 25% stake in the club with £245 million being rumoured as the investment figure.

It’s important to note Ratcliffe’s proposal is yet to be officially confirmed by the club but the partnership is set to be communicated in the coming weeks.

As reported by The Mirror, former United captain Gary Neville has spoken on his feelings toward the rumoured figures of investment.

Speaking on the ‘Gary Neville Podcast’ for Sky Sports, the former defender says fans will not be overly impressed by the reported numbers as investment into the decaying Old Trafford would require much deeper funds than those currently being tabled by Ratcliffe.

“You don’t sit here as a Manchester United fan, wholly impressed by the idea of £245m going in to improve the stadium because we know that Real Madrid and Barcelona are spending a billion to get their stadiums right with a full refit.

“We know that other clubs have spent significantly more. So, we know that is not actually going to touch the sides properly of a full refurb of Old Trafford,” he said.

However, Neville does believe that Ratcliffe’s business acumen is enough to suggest he has further plans for Old Trafford and the initial sum is likely to form the initial part of a instalment plan to restore the ground to its former glory.

“But what it is, is a significant amount of money – and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a smart and successful businessman.

“He’s not going to put £245m into something and let it go down the drain, so I suspect it is probably the first instalment of some sort of plan that means that they will phase the refurbishment of the stadium over two or three different seasons,” said Neville.

As mentioned, Ratcliffe is hoping to complete his deal for a stake in the club in the coming weeks and will be hoping United can muster up some form in time for his takeover.

United travel to Copenhagen for a must-win Champions League Group A game tonight, before hosting Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday.

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Manchester United travel to Denmark this evening for their crucial Champions League group game against FC Copenhagen.

United’s qualification hopes are still in the balance after two losses from their opening two fixtures were followed up by a narrow win against tonight’s opponents, at Old Trafford.

Should Erik ten Hag’s men claim all three points this evening and Bayern Munich see off Galatasaray in Germany, United’s trip to Turkey on Matchday 5 will be the deciding fixture of their Group A campaign.

Ten Hag is well aware of the need for United to win the game this evening and despite a poor showing in the reverse fixture, will expect his men to secure the victory.

Rasmus Hojlund faces his former club and the Danish striker is likely to be United’s biggest weapon this evening.

The 20-year-old’s best moments have come in the Champions League for his new club and he will be chomping at the bit to make his mark on home soil.

Setting the electric pace of Marcus Rashford and Hojlund free should prove too much for the Danish Champions but getting the ball to the dangerous duo will be key.

With the technicality of European football suiting Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount, expect the pair to join Bruno Fernandes as the attacking trio around Rashford and Hojlund and their ability to interchange will keep Copenhagen guessing.

All can operate wide on the right, as well as in the middle and if they can dovetail successfully, United should be in for a fruitful evening.

Andre Onana, who has looked long more times than expected since his arrival will surely be tasked with popping the ball into his back four for United to eventually get their playmakers into the game.

Then it will be down to the attacking talent to interchange and combine to feed Hojlund in particular who, despite his domestic barren spell, looks like he has a goal in him in Europe.

Naturally, United will have to settle into the game and with an electric atmosphere expected in Denmark, controlling the ball from the early stages will be crucial.

United are still without the influential Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez but Harry Maguire, who has returned to form in recent weeks, and the experienced Raphael Varane should be happy enough to take the ball and look forward.

Copenhagen showed they were a threat at Old Trafford so there will be no excuse to be caught cold tonight.

If Hojlund can continue his good form in Europe, expect him to be the difference maker and ease the pressure on his boss, who has come under fire this season.

An early goal would be the perfect tonic to any nerves on a night where United simply have to win if they want to avoid an embarrassing early exit from Europe’s top competition.

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Former Manchester United player Philip Neville has been named the new coach of MLS side Portland Timbers.

Neville was sacked as manager of David Beckham’s Inter Miami just five months ago but has found another home in Major League Soccer.

As reported by The Sun, Neville has been officially named as Timbers’ head coach and is looking forward to his new challenge.

Neville says he had an immediate feeling toward his new club as soon as he met the staff and spent time in the city.

“I am massively excited about the challenge ahead.

“From the very first moment I met the staff I knew it was the right opportunity for me, the right club for me and the right city for me,” he said.

The former England man claims that he new club and city rekindles old memories for him, likening Portland to his hometown of Manchester.

“I have great memories visiting Portland, which reminds me of Manchester, my hometown, and I can’t wait for my family to get to know this beautiful city,” Neville says.

A dramatic Decision Day in the MLS saw Portland lose their final game and, coupled with other results going against them, meant they finished outside of the playoff spots to qualify for the MLS Cup, which is still yet to be decided.

Neville succeeds former Millwall striker Giovanni Savarese, who was sacked by the Timbers in the middle of last term after six years in charge, leaving American coach Miles Joseph to steer the side to the end of the campaign.

Despite an upturn in form, two loses in their last two fixtures killed the Timbers’ season and Neville has been chosen to start the next campaign with a bang.

Timbers’ general manager Ned Grabavoy spoke on his excitement to welcome Neville to Providence Park and is confident the relationship will be a fruitful one.

“We look forward to making Phil and his family feel at home in Portland. His leadership qualities, diverse experience as a coach, and ambition to evolve made him a terrific fit here with us in Portland,” said Grabavoy.

Neville will have plenty of time to get his feet under the table in his new surroundings with the new MLS campaign not getting under way until the first few months of next year.

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Today, 6 November, marks exactly 37 years since Sir Alex Ferguson was appointed Manchester United manager.

Back in 1986, United chairman Martin Edwards made the decision to appoint the Aberdeen boss and it would prove one of the most important events in the club’s incredible history.

Although Ferguson had enjoyed huge success north of the border, including an incredible European Cup triumph, even Edwards surely couldn’t have predicted that he’d just kicked off arguably the greatest managerial reign the game of football has ever seen.

Ferguson would go on to take charge of 1500 games for United, winning 895 and scooping a whopping 38 trophies over a 27 year spell at Old Trafford.

On this day, 37 years ago, Manchester United appointed Sir Alex Ferguson as manager.

Games: 1500
Wins: 895
Trophies: 38

The Greatest Manager In Football History, The GOAT. pic.twitter.com/lVRhEzxRHC

— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 (@TenHagBall_) November 6, 2023

United were without a top-flight league title since 1967 with Liverpool and Everton the dominant forces in the English game when the Govern-born manager took charge.

Ferguson immediately set out to wrestle the balance of power to Manchester, promising to “knock Liverpool off their perch,” in a defiant message to Merseyside.

After investing huge resource into the youth set-up at the club, it was clear the project was long term and the United hierarchy had to stand firm through the turbulent early years.

However, by 1990 Ferguson had won the FA Cup, going a long way to appeasing the fans who were restless at the trophy-starved period they were suffering.

The inaugural Premier League was formed in 1992 and after being pipped to the First Division title the year before, Ferguson and his troops were ready to strike.

United duly went on to win the Premier League in the 1992/93 season, ending the club’s 26 drought for a league title and sparking a remarkable period of dominance.

Ferguson went onto win a record 13 Premier League crowns, along with five FA Cup trophies, as United swept all before them domestically.

United also won two Champions League titles under Ferguson’s guidance, each one as dramatic as the other.

He secured an historic Treble in 1999 that will be seen as the crowning glory of Ferguson’s time at the club – earning the Scot a knighthood.

The second Champions League success came in 2008, with a side that was arguably his most talented on paper.

A front line of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo tormented Europe throughout that period and perhaps the only regret of Fergie’s time at United will be that he didn’t win more than the two European crowns.

United were involved in three out of four Champions League finals in that spell but came up against a Barcelona team that is widely regarded as the best to have ever played the game.

Sir Alex retired at the end of the 2012/13 season and bowed out in typical style, winning the league title at a canter and ensuring he would leave the club two first-division titles clear of Liverpool – something that looked impossible in 1986.

That Premier League win remains United’s last and the dramatic drop in silverware and standard only stands to highlight how incredible the great man was.

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The emergence of the Middle East’s interest in football has been sent shockwaves throughout the game in the last twelve months.

Huge investments have been made into raising the profile of the sport in Middle Eastern countries, with Saudi Arabia leading the way in tempting players to their developing leagues.

The United Arab Emirates are also covering football like never before and have found a pundit who bears an incredible resemblance to former Manchester United captain, Gary Neville.

As reported by The Daily Star, it didn’t take long for the image of the doppelganger to go viral, with fans jesting that Neville had swapped his job at Sky for a role in the Middle East!

Social media users were typically quick-witted with their comments.

One fan wrote “Love the idea of Neville sneaking off to Abu Dhabi every few days behind his family’s back just to get his punditry fix lol”.

Another joked: “I wonder if he’s blaming the Glazers for everything too.” With a third dubbing him “Garab Neville.”

Since retiring with eight Premier League titles and over 600 appearances for United, Neville has become the lead man on Sky Sports.

The former England centre-back has sparked an unlikely relationship with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, with the pair regularly debating incidents across the Premier League.

As it transpired the look-a-like’s actual name is Hassan Ibrahim, a former footballer and now technical analyst on Abu Dhabi’s chief sports channel, AD Sports.

Ibrahim covers the UAE division as part of the channel’s coverage of the Middle Eastern leagues, as well as matches in Italy’s Serie A, Australia’s A-League, and the USA’s MLS.

Neville was last spotted on Sky forming part of the coverage of Newcastle United’s controversial weekend win against Arsenal.

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Manchester United’s struggles at the start of Erik ten Hag’s second season in charge at Old Trafford have come in the shape of issues both on and off the field.

Losing over half of their opening 15 games has left United out of the Carabao Cup, out of a title race and behind the eight ball in their Champions League group.

Jadon Sancho has also provided Ten Hag with a major headache, having not featured for the club since the start of September.

The public spat between the pair over Sancho’s level in training has left the wingers’ future at Old Trafford hanging by a thread.

Sancho has refused to apologise for publicly refuting his manager’s claims on social media and it appears Ten Hag has washed his hands of the former Dortmund man.

United are now looking for a resolution to the issue with a major asset essentially gathering dust, having been banished from the first team altogether.

Spanish media outlet Fichajes have reported that Real Madrid are one of the teams United have offered Sancho’s services.

The 23-year-old is likely to leave Old Trafford on loan in January with United hoping he strikes some kind of form for them to be able to recoup as much of the €85 million they paid for him, at the end of the season.

However, Fichajes also say that Madrid aren’t looking to add a player of such a profile to their ranks in the winter unless they suffer an injury crisis in attacking areas.

With two months still remaining until the winter window swings into action, United do have time to find a resolution to the saga but Sancho’s value is decreasing by the week.

Furthermore, he is still picking up his whopping £350k-a-week wage packet without kicking a ball for the club.

If United’s horrible form and performances continue it may even be a case that Sancho outlasts Ten Hag at United and the player could be handed another fresh start.

However, as it stands, Sancho is looking for pastures new in January and remains unlikely to feature for United under the current regime.

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