A night of remembrance for Sir Bobby Charlton turned into a night of redemption for Harry Maguire and Andre Onana.
Two of Manchester United's most maligned players this season came to the rescue on Tuesday with big second-half moments in a 1-0 win over Copenhagen that ignited their qualification hopes in the Champions League.
There were boos inside Old Trafford at halftime of the first match at the stadium since the death of Charlton on Saturday, with United’s players unable to use emotions stirred by the memory of the club legend to make any headway against the group outsiders from Denmark.
The jeers turned to cheers for Maguire when the oft-maligned centre-back headed home a cross from substitute Christian Eriksen in the 72nd minute.
Onana, another player under pressure in the early stage of this season, preserved the win with a penalty save off the last kick of the game, clawing away the shot of Jordan Larsson — the son of former United striker Henrik Larsson — that was taken in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
The victory earned United their first points in Champions League Group A after opening with defeats away to Bayern Munich and at home against Galatasaray. With half of the games played, United sit third on three points, one point behind Galatasaray in second. Bayern are clear at the top having won all three matches so far.
Reflecting on a must-win game, Andy Mitten provides his thoughts from inside Old Trafford in the video above.
Man United v Copenhagen player ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: Headline maker right at the last as he saved a penalty taken in the 97th minute. How he and his team needed that. The ball struck his post early, but his kicking was poor in front of another changed defence for him. Superb right-handed save on 50 from Lerager. AFP -
Did OK. Tried to rally the fans in front of 73,249. Seconds later a penalty was given and those fans were stunned into silence … until Onana saved it. Getty -
Harry Maguire (C) of Manchester United celebrates with teammate Rasmus Hojlund after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Manchester United and FC Copenhagen in Manchester, Britain, 24 October 2023. EPA / ADAM VAUGHAN -
Has he ever passed the ball back so often? Or head the ball away for a corner? He’s been in and out all season. An in-form Varane can be one of United’s best players. AP -
First game back after a month out, so at least United have a left-back again. Shot towards goal deflected on 47. EPA -
Lovely ball to Antony on 21. Lost possession while stuck for options on 37. Too slow in a first half so bad that the referee blew up 13 seconds before time. He’s got energy but didn’t damage opponents. Taken off at half time. Getty -
Another night of frustration, though he was better in the second half and played the perfect ball forward to Garnacho on 66. Won the ball twice to start a 77th-minute attack, then ran onto a Rashford ball, but his shot was deflected for a corner. Booked. Getty -
Started better than against Sheffield United. Shot wide on 78, then conceded his second penalty in five days. Booked. AFP -
Came to life on 17, beating the stand in left-back twice. Does his stepovers, looks like he could be a threat. But a lack of end product means he isn’t. AP -
Sublime pass to Hojlund on 15. First and only United shot on target in the first half on 20. Poor touch from a 57th-minute Eriksen pass. Wasn’t taken off after an hour this time. EPA -
Chasing balls down from the start against his former club. No service until Rashford set him up on 15, but he couldn’t keep his shot down. He’ll get there. EPA -
SUBS: (Amrabat 45') Forced a first save of the match after 53, a low shot towards the corner. Made a difference, added urgency, forced players to go forward. Played in Rashford, then set up Maguire’s goal. Getty -
(Reguilon 62') Did well to anticipate and clear a Copenhagen cross on 69. AFP -
(Antony 62') His first touch of a Fernandes ball was the right one in front of goal, his second one wasn’t. Shot straight at goalkeeper well saved on 77. Brings urgency and stretches opponents; Anthony Martial (Hojlund 86') N/A. Getty -
COPENHAGEN RATINGS: Untested in a first half that delighted the dominant Danes. Kept his side on terms with an outstanding save after the break when he palmed away an Eriksen strike that looked destined for the corner, before denying Garnacho with another smart stop. AP -
Caught too high up the pitch which allowed Garnacho to race through on goal, but the youngster’s touch was far too heavy and a grateful Grabara was able to claim at the Argentine’s feet. AP -
Survived a scare when he gave Hojlund too much room to shoot but the in-form Dane could only lash over against his former side. Guilty of playing Maguire onside by the barest of margins as United snatched an unlikely win, but a significant one. Getty -
Read the danger superbly to divert Scott McTominay’s point-blank effort away from goal and managed to win his side a goal kick in the process. A vital intervention from the Dutchman to deny the United midfielder his fourth goal of the season. AFP -
Shown a clean pair of heels by Antony on more than one occasion. Improved after the break and forced a corner with a bright burst forward as the visitors sensed the opportunity to take all three points. Getty -
Produced a tidy block that took the sting out of a long-range Reguilon shot and allowed his goalkeeper to gather easily. Saw his powerful strike impressively saved by Onana at the other end second later. Getty -
Showed excellent strength to thwart his former teammate when he sent Hojlund sprawling and the referee waved away United’s penalty appeals. A big moment with Hojlund shaping to pull the trigger, but it looked like the right call. PA -
Nearly silenced the home crowd with just five minutes into the tie when he cracked the post from Elyounoussi’s inviting delivery. Knew when to slow things down and managed the game well in the middle, but equally always carried a threat. AFP -
Almost gave the visitors the perfect start when he floated in a beautiful cross that led to Copenhagen hitting the woodwork before his follow-up effort was deflected over. Caused problems throughout with his turn of pace. AP -
Showed excellent vision to pick out Lerager on the edge of the box with a super pass that sliced through the United defence, but the midfielder’s effort was beaten away by Onana. PA -
Lively. Burst out of the blocks and forced a save inside 60 seconds with a cleanly-struck effort from the edge of the box. Showed quick feet throughout and drilled another low effort into the side netting as he looked to squeeze an effort past Onana. EPA -
SUBS: (Jelert, ‘77). Looked to make a nuisance of himself on the left, but his most memorable involvement was throwing himself to the ground under a challenge from Dalot. AP -
(Goncalves, ‘85) - N/A. Saw his last-gasp penalty brilliantly saved by Onana to leave Copenhagen bottom of Group A as the sides prepare to battle it out again in two weeks’ time. Orri Oskarsson (Claesson, ‘76) - N/A. AFP -
(Claesson, ‘90). A late appearance for the younger of the Hojlunds, who very nearly had an immediate impact. It was his delivery that led to a penalty in the dying seconds too, only for Onana to steal the headlines. Getty
