Manchester United will be desperate to get on the board when they welcome FC Copenhagen to Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The UEFA Champions League resumes this week with Matchday 3 of the group stage. Group A is becoming the Bayern Munich show, with the Bundesliga champions cruising towards automatic qualification. But the second spot is up for grabs, with Manchester United keen on claiming the berth as they get set to welcome FC Copenhagen to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Manchester United, who will be mourning Sir Bobby Charlton on Tuesday, have been horrendous thus far in the 2023/24 season. They have already lost half a dozen games, two of them coming in the UEFA Champions League. While the defeat to Bayern Munich was not surprising, squandering the lead to go down at home to Galatasaray was dreadful, leaving them bottom of the table.
On the other hand, FC Copenhagen gave away a two-goal lead to play out a 2-2 draw with Galatasaray. They then gave Bayern Munich a run for their money before going down 2-1 on Matchday 2. As for matters at home, the Lions are sitting atop the Superliga, a point ahead of Silkeborg after the first eight rounds of fixtures.
Manchester United beat FC Copenhagen 1-0 the last time these teams locked horns with each other, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a late penalty. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Erik issued a team news update during today's press conference.#MUFC || #UCL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 23, 2023
Erik ten Hag does not have any new roster issues hampering his preparations ahead of the return to UEFA Champions League action. Against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday, the Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of seven first-team players.
Casemiro is serving a suspension after seeing red against Galatasaray. But the Brazilian midfielder would have missed the game due to an ankle injury anyway. Meanwhile, Casemiro accompanies Lisandro Martinez (foot), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (muscle injury), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Luke Shaw (muscle), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), and Amad Diallo (knee) on the sidelines.
But Sergio Reguilon should return to the starting eleven after overcoming a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho remains unavailable due to his bust-up with ten Hag, with the English international serving an internal suspension. Reguilon should accompany Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, and Diogo Dalot in the backline, which will cover Andre Onana between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Sofyan Amrabat and Scott McTominay should retain their partnership in the double pivot. The duo will keep things tight in the middle of the park but also aim to initiate quick transitions on turnovers.
Antony started instead of Mason Mount this past weekend. But the Englishman should return to the starting eleven, sharing the creative workload with Bruno Fernandes. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford will shoulder the goalscoring burden for the home side.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon; Amrabat, McTominay; Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
FC Copenhagen
Like his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Jacob Neestrup has a few pressing concerns to deal with ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The FC Copenhagen manager should be without four first-team players on Tuesday.
Nicolai Boilesen is the most notable absentee, with the Danish defender recovering from a knock. The 31-year-old accompanies Birger Meling (unknown), Noah Sahsah (knee), and William Clem (leg) in the treatment room.
π³πππ ππππππππππππ in CopenhagenβͺοΈπ΅
/ Hvem vil du gerne se i aktion fra dagens trΓ¦ningππΌ#fcklive #ucl
πΈ @gastisz pic.twitter.com/0Cf8EIKb89
— F.C. KΓΈbenhavn (@FCKobenhavn) October 23, 2023
Kamil Grabara will take his spot between the sticks, with FC Copenhagen lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him. The defensive unit should feature Kevin Diks, Denis Vavro, Christian Sorensen, and Elias Jelert. The quartet will aim to remain compact to frustrate Rasmus Hojlund and cut off the passing lanes.
As for the midfield unit, the trifecta of Lukas Lerager, Rasmus Falk, and Viktor Claesson will aim to keep things in the middle of the park. With none of the midfielders being defensive-minded, they will play as more than the sum of their parts while providing the forward thrust. Finally, Jordan Larsson, Elias Achouri, and Mohamed Elyounoussi will form the offensive trident, looking to hit Manchester United on the counter.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Grabara; Jelert, Diks, Vavro, Sorensen; Lerager, Falk, Claesson; Achouri, Larsson, Elyounoussi
Key Stats
- FC Copenhagen’s first-ever UEFA Champions League win was against Manchester United, a 1-0 home victory in November 2006. However, they have never won (D1 L3) or scored a goal (nine conceded) in four away games against English opponents in the competition.
- FC Copenhagen have not scored a goal in their last seven matches against English sides in European competition (D3 L4). Their most recent strike against an English club came against Manchester City in the UEFA Cup in February 2009 (a 2-1 defeat in the second leg of the Round of 32).
- Manchester United have lost their last three games in the UEFA Champions League and have never suffered a defeat in four successive matches.
- Erik ten Hag has lost his three most recent outings in the Champions League (one with Ajax, two with Manchester United) β his longest losing run in the competition across the 34 games he has taken charge of.
- Rasmus Hojlund has scored in both of his UEFA Champions League appearances for Manchester United, netting three goals in the process. If he finds the back of the net in this game, he will become the first player to score in his first three games for the Red Devils in the European Cup or Champions League since John Connelly in 1965 (3).
Player to Watch
Mason Mount
Mount’s slow start to life as a Manchester United continues, and he has been blowing hot and cold. But the return from injury has paved the way for a cumulative of positive displays. The English international seems like Manchester United’s most potent creator alongside Bruno Fernandes.
But Antony’s return and Sofyan Amrabat’s ascent have come as a blow for him. The 24-year-old did not start against Sheffield United and will be raring to go when the Red Devils host FC Copenhagen. Expect a telling rebuttal from Mount, who will be eager to stamp his authority at Old Trafford.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 FC Copenhagen
Old Trafford will have a sombre mood, with Manchester United mourning the heavily-emotional loss of Sir Bobby Charlton. But considering FC Copenhagen gave a scare to Bayern Munich, Tuesday’s fixture against Manchester United should see them make another splash. The visitors should take the game to Erik ten Hag’s charges, taking advantage of their defensive vulnerabilities.
Manchester United’s inability to hold a lead might also come to the fore, although they might have enough quality to eke out a narrow victory. Expect Mason Mount to rise to the occasion, with Rasmus Hojlund continuing his run in the UEFA Champions League. So, the third time will be the charm for the Red Devils, who will eke out a 2-1 victory over FC Copenhagen.
