Manchester United squeezed past a resilient Kobenhavn side in the Champions League on Tuesday night, winning 1-0 thanks to a Harry Maguire header in the second half and a desperately late Andre Onana penalty save.
There were emotional scenes prior to kick-off as tributes were paid to Sir Bobby Charlton after he passed away last Saturday. Erik ten Hag laid a wreath on the centre circle as the Old Trafford crowd stood to applaud and honour a club legend who dedicated his life to Man Utd.
On the pitch, it was an uninspiring first half in Manchester. Kobenhavn produced the best openings, testing Onana from distance and striking the post with a volley – all within the opening five minutes. It was evident that Man Utd were feeling the nerves, failing to test the Danish side’s backline in any meaningful way as the opening 45 minutes finished goalless.
Man Utd improved in the second half, taking the lead through Harry Maguire’s powerful header after Christian Eriksen’s cross. But United needed the much-maligned Onana to make a 97th-minute penalty save to give the hosts a hard-fought victory in an astounding finish.
How the game unfolded
Kobenhavn have already proved tricky opponents in the Champions League this season and they made a bright start at Old Trafford. Elias Achouri’s long-range effort was pushed wide for a corner by Andre Onana before Diogo Goncalves’ cushioned volley struck the base of the Cameroonian’s post several minutes later.
Man Utd started to control proceedings after a shaky opening 15 minutes, with speculative efforts from Rasmus Hojlund, formerly of Kobenhavn, and Marcus Rashford not doing enough to cause ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Kamil Grabara any problems.
A first half lacking in quality petered out with so few mentionable moments that Italian referee Marco Guida blew for half-time 15 seconds early.
Erik ten Hag knew his side needed a win on Tuesday evening / Richard Sellers/Allstar/GettyImages
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho was left kicking himself shortly after the hour mark, racing through one-on-one with Grabara after a quick United break. However, a heavy touch allowed the Kobenhavn goalkeeper to reclaim possession as another half-chance for Man Utd was sniffed out.
However, the young Argentine was let off the hook shortly after, with Harry Maguire powering home a header from Eriksen’s delightful cross with 72 minutes played to give the hosts the lead. Few could begrudge the centre-back such a moment given the criticism he has faced in the last year, building on a player-of-the-match performance against Sheffield United at the weekend with aplomb.
The game should have been wrapped up just five minutes later when Garnacho was sent through on goal by McTominay, but Grabara produced a great close-range stop. The Scottish midfielder then sent his rebound high and wide.
It looked as if Man Utd were going to see the game out with no problems, but a 94th-minute corner wreaked havoc in the Red Devils’ penalty area. The ball bounced around before McTominay’s high boot caught a Kobenhavn head, with the referee awarding the visitors a spot kick.
However, Onana produced a fine stop from Jordan Larsson, son of former United striker Henrik, from the spot to give United the victory and earn the Red Devils a vital three points in the Champions League.