United undone by Roony after Rashford sees red in Champions League

Copenhagen: Manchester United gave up a two-goal lead in a breathless 4-3 Champions League loss to FC Copenhagen on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) that turned after Marcus Rashford was shown a controversial red card following a brace by young United striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The loss was a calamitous setback in United’s hopes for last-16 qualification with Erik ten Hag’s side fourth in Group A on three points with two group games still to play. Copenhagen are one point better off in second place.

“The red card changes everything,” a beleaguered Ten Hag told TNT Sports. “Then it becomes a different game. I have seen a lot of positives from that game but in the end we have lost some focus.

“I think the (Rashford red) was a very harsh decision,” he added.

United have two tough games to finish the group stage, at third-placed Galatasaray, who have four points, on November 29 and at home against Bayern Munich, who have won all four group matches to book their spot in the last 16, on December 12.

Hojlund fired United to a brilliant start in a rollercoaster first half, scoring his first when the game was just 171 seconds old by tucking in Scott McTominay’s pass from close range.

Marcus Rashford (far right) was sent off late in the first half for Manchester United.Credit: Getty

The 20-year-old netted again against his former club in the 28th minute after a Kamil Grabara save sent the ball spinning practically to his feet.

The tide turned when Rashford was sent off in the 42nd minute for planting his foot on the ankle of Elias Jelert to protect the ball. The moment breathed new life into the home side and Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back three minutes later.

“We controlled the game until the red card. That changed the game,” Hojlund told TNT Sports. “I think we switched off a little bit. We didn’t think we would play with one man down.

“It gave them belief, I know how the crowd can help the team out. It gave them a big boost.”

UEFA Champions League matchday 4 results

Wednesday (AEDT):

• Borussia Dortmund 2 Newcastle 0
• Shakhtar Donetsk 1 Barcelona 0
• Lazio 1 Feyenoord 0
• Porto 2 Antwerp 0
• Manchester City 3 Young Boys 0
• AC Milan 2 Paris Saint-Germain 1
• Atletico Madrid 6 Celtic 0
• Red Star Belgrade 1 RB Leipzig 2

Thursday:

• Real Sociedad 3 Benfica 1
• Napoli 1 Union Berlin 1
• Copenhagen 4 Manchester United 3
• RB Salzburg 0 Inter Milan 1
• Bayern Munich 2 Galatasaray 1
• Arsenal 2 Sevilla 0
• PSV Eindhoven 1 Lens 0
• Real Madrid 3 Braga 0

There was more misery to come as Copenhagen were awarded a penalty right before halftime after Harry Maguire’s handball, and Diogo Goncalves slotted it past Andre Onana.

United briefly regained the lead when VAR awarded them a penalty for a handball which Bruno Fernandes calmly converted.

But they imploded in the final few minutes giving up two goals, in the 83rd when Lukas Lerager sprinted in to meet Rasmus Falk’s cross and four minutes later when 17-year-old substitute Roony Bardghji fired home.

As the teams walked onto the pitch at Parken Stadium, Copenhagen fans unveiled a tifo that read “Your Theatre of Nightmares,” a play on Old Trafford’s nickname as the Theatre of Dreams and an apt description on Wednesday.

Rasmus Hojlund scored twice for Manchester United but it was all in vain against Copenhagen.Credit: Getty

United became the first side to score two goals, have a player sent off, and concede a penalty in the first half of a Champions League match since Bayern Munich against Man City in November 2014.

The night marked the first Champions League loss for United in which they led by two or more goals. It was their first defeat after taking a two-goal lead in all competitions since a 5-3 loss to Leicester City in September 2014.

Elsewhere, Arsenal returned to winning ways with a routine 2-0 defeat of Sevilla to take a big step towards qualification.

Successive defeats in the League Cup and Premier League had halted Arsenal’s momentum but goals by Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka cemented their place as leaders of Group B.

Trossard tapped home in the 29th minute to put Mikel Arteta’s side in front and Saka underlined Arsenal’s superiority with a superb effort midway through the second half.

Europa League champions Sevilla were desperately disappointing and managed only one shot on target, with the last kick of the game, as their last-16 hopes receded.

The only blemish on an otherwise stress-free night for Arsenal was the sight of Saka, who set up Trossard’s goal, hobbling off late on after falling awkwardly.

Arsenal strengthened their position at the top of Group B with nine points from four games and would have qualified had Lens beaten PSV Eindhoven but the French club lost 1-0.

Lens and PSV have five points while winless Sevilla are bottom with two points.

Leandro Trossard celebrates the first goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Europa League champions Sevilla.Credit: AP

After the fallout from Arsenal’s controversial Premier League defeat at Newcastle United at the weekend, which sparked an emotional Arteta outburst, a routine night was required and Sevilla were compliant opponents.

Arsenal were efficient rather than spectacular but dominated from the first whistle and Kai Havertz should have given them the lead inside two minutes but headed wide.

The hosts took the lead when Jorginho, captain for the night in place of the injured Martin Odegaard, released Saka down the right and he slid a pass across for Trossard to score his second Champions League goal of the campaign. Havertz twice went close to scoring after the break, having one goal-bound shot deflected away and firing another effort agonisingly wide of the far post.

Saka eventually gave Arsenal breathing space with a superb effort, racing on to Gabriel Martinelli’s pass down the right and then cutting back inside to place a left-foot shot past visiting keeper Marko Dmitrovic.

Reuters

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