Manchester United will aim to boost their chances of advancing to the Champions League last 16 when they visit FC Copenhagen on Wednesday at Parken.
The Red Devils entered Matchday 3 at the bottom of Group A after two consecutive defeats. However, a tense 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, with Harry Maguire scoring the decisive goal and André Onana saving a late penalty to secure three points, reignited their hopes of qualification for the next round.
United after that win now occupy the third spot, just one point behind second-placed Galatasaray. A win on Wednesday could potentially propel them past the Turkish side before their crucial match-up on Matchday five at RAMS Park.
Their opponents on Wednesday currently sit at the bottom of the group with just one point from their three games.
In their previous game at Old Trafford, they had their most shots ever in a Champions League away match (16). They will aim to replicate this level of performance at home, hoping for a better result to enhance their chances of qualification.
Leading up to this game, Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage, while Copenhagen defeated Randers 4-2.
Team News:
Aside from the long-term absences of Lisandro Martínez, Amad Diallo, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, and Luke Shaw, Erik Ten Hag has nearly a full squad to choose from for Wednesday.
For Copenhagen, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Andreas Cornelius are doubtful for this game, while William Clem, Davit Khocholava, and Birger Meling are all injured.
Match Facts:
In Erik Ten Hag’s first away Champions League game as United’s boss, the team suffered a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich. Notably, the Dutchman has never previously lost consecutive away matches in the competition.
In fact, he has already lost as many Champions League away games in charge of United (one) as he did in 16 matches with his previous club, Ajax (10 wins, 5 draws, 1 defeat).
Copenhagen, meanwhile, hasn’t won in their last six home games in the Champions League, with five of those matches ending in draws and one loss. Only five combined goals were scored in these six matches (two for, three against), with four of them finishing 0-0.
Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Copenhagen on Matchday 3 marked the end of a five-game winless streak in the Champions League and was their first clean sheet in the competition since November 2021, preserved by Onana’s crucial penalty save in the 97th minute.
Copenhagen’s first-ever Champions League victory was a 1-0 home win against Manchester United on Matchday four in the 2006-07 edition. However, they have not won any of their last 10 games against English sides in European competition and have failed to score in their last eight such games.
United, on the other hand, have won seven of their 10 meetings with Danish sides in all European competitions, with one draw and two losses. Notably, both defeats have occurred in their last three such away games.
Probable Line-ups:
Copenhagen: Grabara; Ankersen, Vavro, Diks, Jelert; Lerager, Falk, Goncalves; Larsson, Claesson, Achouri
Manchester United: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Eriksen; Pellistri, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
