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MANCHESTER UNITED’s matchup with FC Copenhagen tonight presents a formidable task.
After winning just one of their three group-stage games thus far, the Red Devils’ hopes of making it to the Champions League knockout stages are in shambles.
They face Danish champions Copenhagen on Matchday Four after losing to them by a narrow margin at Old Trafford the previous time around.
But during Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure, Manchester United lost their first game at Parken Stadium in the 2006–07 campaign.
That occasion, they were defeated 1-0 by a goal in the 73rd minute by Marcus Allback, who later disclosed to The Sun in an exclusive interview that he had a child named after him after his “crappy” winner.
But with their host’s impressive home record, Erik ten Hag’s Devils of today have an equally difficult challenge ahead of them.
Copenhagen has only lost two home games in their five seasons in the Champions League, winning six and drawing eight.
This impressive record is concerning for Manchester United.
The fact that the Red Devils have only triumphed once in their previous seven Champions League away games is another cause for concern.
Under Michael Carrick, Villarreal won that match in 2021.
Man Utd star Paul Scholes appears to be unimpressed by the eighties Marcus Rashord and company are expected to face tonight. Scholes was a player in the season-ending 1-0 loss.
When asked on TNT Sports if he thought Ten Hag’s team would make it to the Last 16, he responded, “If I were a betting man, I’d say no.”
“They proved they were weak on the road last season; just consider Sevilla’s away performance. They fell because they couldn’t handle the harsh yet dazzling atmosphere.”
Scholes, 48, entered the game in the 71st minute during Man Utd’s previous trip to the Danish capital.
He went on, “It worries me to travel to Copenhagen; they’re not a very good team, but they’re well-organized.
“I’m not sure if that team has the fighters or the character to handle a large crowd.
“These away games in Europe are really difficult, especially the one to Copenhagen. You have to be concerned about Manchester United’s weakness if they create a hostile environment because they might truly collapse under such strain.”
Man Utd would need to defeat Galatasaray away in order to remain within striking distance of the top two slots, but losing would force them to rely on Bayern Munich’s victory over Galatasaray.
The news that Ten Hag disclosed Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro were not anticipated to return until Christmas did not increase their chances of moving forward.
Rashford took a hit during training and missed the match against Fulham, raising concerns about his fitness.
Even if Bayern Munich did win at Parken, it was by no means an easy victory, as the Germans had to stage a comeback in the second half to win 2-1. Still, there is cause for optimism.
