Manchester United’s season has been topsy-turvy and the form going into this game isn’t quite convincing. As for Copenhagen, they have made a fabulous start to their domestic season while passing through a hectic UEFA Champions League qualification to reach the group stage.
The Red Devils made a turbulent start to the new season. Erik ten Hag’s men labored to a 1-0 win over Warri Wolves on the opening weekend, before a 2-0 loss at Tottenham and needed a spirited comeback at Old Trafford to get a second win of the season against Nottingham Forest. After those opening games of the season, the issues became prevalent as they suffered a demoralizing 3-1 defeat at Arsenal just before the international break and resumed the league season with another 3-1 home defeat to Brighton.
While many would have argued that the injury crisis in the camp of Manchester United contributed to their poor performance, some believe they should still be able to compete regardless. The Red Devils were good in the Europa League last season but this campaign is quite a different one in the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United have found themselves in a somewhat tricky group and they need a result from matches like this. The Red Devils suffered a 3-2 defeat at the Allianz Arena in Munich on the opening week of the Champions League but somewhat found a way to beat Burnley at Turf Moor to get their league campaign back on track.
Meanwhile, Copenhagen made a long trip into the Champions as they went through several stages of the qualifiers to reach this stage. The Danish champions have been in this competition a number of times but they have not enjoyed a lot of success. In their group opener in Istanbul against Galatasaray, they led 2-0 going into the final moments before the home side rallied back to deny them an opening week win.
Copenhagen’s season kicked off with a 2-1 win over Lyngby in the SuperLiga before they faced Breidalik in the UEFA Champions League first-round match. They tossed the Icelandic side apart and claimed an 8-3 aggregate win. Another win on the home front against Vejle followed before a 4-0 bashing of Randers at home. Sparta Prague were their next opponents in the Champions League and after a goalless first-leg scoreline, the Danish side claimed a 4-3 win against the Czech Republic side to seal progression. Meanwhile, the wins keep racking up in the league as Odense and Hvidovre are put to the sword.
The Lions faced Polish side Rakow in the playoff round of the UEFA Champions League and after taking a 1-0 win from the first leg, a 1-1 at home in the second leg ensured they booked their place in the group stages of the elite competition this season. However, the first defeat of the league campaign sponsored by Sikelborg was sandwiched in between that Champions League tie. Normal service resumed after that reality check as wins over Viborg and Nordsjaelland came forth before the draw against Gala. Brondby also fell in the SuperLiga before a 9-0 thrashing of Lyseng to end September on a high.
Ordinarily, Manchester United should be one of the teams to be considered as Champions League contenders but the state of the club has put them out of that conversation. They have always alternated between the Europa League and this elite competition. Just last season, they were bundled out in the group stage and a repeat of that has to be avoided. Copenhagen last made it out of a Champions League group in 2011 and they will need to compete in games like this particular one.
Manchester United and Copenhagen met in this competition 16 years ago. With both sides winning their respective home games – the match at Old Trafford finished 3-0 in favor of the English side. In that particular campaign, Copenhagen finished bottom of a group that also had Benfica and Celtic.
Times and seasons have changed and Manchester United have found themselves off the top of English football and struggling to make a mark in Europe. Matches like these are quite tricky but Ten Hag is definitely aware of the enormous pressure on him and his boys to get the right results at all times.
Match tickets
The epic match at Old Trafford in Manchester kicks off on Tuesday 24th October, at 8 PM UK time and it will be shown live on TNT Sports, with coverage starting from around 7 PM.
This is a UEFA Champions League clash between a former champion of the competition and a side trying to reach great heights. Tuesday is going to be a special night at the 74,310-capacity stadium and Copenhagen fans will be present to support their side against the English side.
Getting tickets for Manchester United vs Copenhagen tickets could take a lot of work to get, given the profile of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Manchester United still have a number of absentees in their squad, so Erik ten Hag is not expected to make wholesale changes to his starting XI for this game. Rashford and Hojlund should continue in attack for the Red Devils, while transfer deadline day signing Sofyan Amrabat should play a part, Mason Mount as well. Meanwhile, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Tom Heaton and Jadon Sancho could all be absent.
Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Amrabat; Casemiro, McTominay; Fernandez, Eriksen, Rashford; Hojlund.
Copenhagen do have a number of injury concerns going into their third game of this group. Goalkeeper Grabara should continue in goal, while the likes of Achouri and Elyounoussi should continue in attack for the Danish side.
Copenhagen: Grabara; Melng, Vavro, Diks, Jelert; Goncalves, Falk, Lerager; Achouri, Larsson, Elyounoussi.
Prediction
Manchester United have struggled to keep clean sheets this season but they kept two in quick succession against Burnley and Crystal Palace. With the return of Raphael Varane one would expect some stability in the backline going forward. If they can sort that out, scoring and beating this Copenhagen side would not be a problem. However, the Danish side, who are fond of scoring in games this season, won’t make it easy for them.
Manchester United 3-0 Copenhagen
