Man Utd ratings: Hojlund continues incredible Champions League form but Rashford’s red changes the game
MANCHESTER UNITED’S night started so well as they raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to a brace from Rasmus Hojlund.
But everything changed following a VAR intervention that saw Marcus Rashford sent off in the 42nd minute.
While there’ll rightly be debate as to whether the red was justified the game was never the same after that.
Copenhagen dragged themselves from nowhere back to 2-2 through goals from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves.
The Danish side emerged sheepishly from half-time which allowed United to dominate the second-half and eventually take the lead through a 69th minute Bruno Fernandes penalty.
But United’s lack of manpower eventually cost them in the end with Copenhagen bagging two late goals through Lukas Lerager and Roony Bardghji to secure one of the most famous victories in their history.
Here’s how the players rated on a disastrous night for United – with the Red Devils now bottom of their Champions League group.
Andre Onana – 5
None of the four goals conceded were really Onana’s fault but it’s another night to forget for the Manchester United keeper.
Passing wasn’t exactly fantastic throughout and taht’s why he was signed.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
A really impressive performance at both ends of the pitch but all that good work was undone by a calamitous pass back to Onana that led to Copenhagen’s 83rd minute equaliser.
Some excellent 1v1 defending apart from that but his technical ability will always be a weakness for Wan-Bissaka.
Harry Maguire – 6
Gave away the penalty that allowed Copenhagen to equalise through Goncalves but his hand was hardly in an unnatural position.
Technically the right decision according to the laws of the game but does it really tally with why the handball law was ever introduced?
His defending was generally fine thereafter and he was desperately unlucky not to draw United level in the dying embers of the game when his volley thumped off the bar.
Jonny Evans – 6
Did not have anything to do during his 12 minutes on the pitch before he was forced off with injury.
Unlucky to be withdrawn so early in his first Champions League game in a decade.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Lost his marker for Copenhagen’s equaliser and that’s led to United being on the brink of going out of the Champions League.
Away from that, he did offer a consistent attacking threat down the left.
Christian Eriksen – 6
Impressive in his direct passing which allowed United to progress up the pitch quickly in the first half.
But was sacrificed at half-time for Sofyan Amrabat as United looked to add some steel to the midfield following Rashford’s red.
Scott McTominay – 6
Did well to set up Hojlund’s first goal after an impressive run into the box.
But had to adopt a much more defensive position following the red card and did not impress particularly thereafter.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Started the game really well playing as a traditional winger off the right which could be a useful weapon for Manchester United going forward.
But his night ended early following a 42nd minute red card which completely swung the game in favour of Copenhagen.
The forward clearly did not intend to plant his studs into the ankle of Elias Jelert but VAR ruled the incident as being serious foul play.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Led the press alongside Hojlund very well prior to the red card and worked hard to cover the ground with ten men thereafter.
His 69th minute penalty put United ahead but he was pretty average apart from that.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Should have passed for Hojlund’s second but his shot was spilled by the keeper into his path anyway.
Did not make much of an impression following the red.
Rasmus Hojlund – 8
Two goals for Rasmus Hojlund tonight in what is quickly becoming his favourite competition.
The Dane has five goals in four Champions League matches this season and his brace gave United a solid foundation to build on, even with ten men.
Had to live off scraps after the sending off but still led the line effectively.
Subs
Raphael Varane 5 (On for Evans 15)
Came on in the 16th minute for Jonny Evans and was lucky not to have his handball punished in the lead up to Harry Maguire‘s.
According to Uefa laws though, that would not have been penalised due to the ball deflecting off his leg first.
Sofyan Amrabat 5 (On for Eriksen 46)
Didn’t do much after coming on as United slumped to a 4-3 defeat.
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