Manchester United’s woes continue to escalate with their third loss in four games during this season’s UEFA Champions League group stage, marking an undesirable record for the team.
United entered the match with the imperative of securing a victory to keep their chances alive for advancing to the knockout stages. However, as has been a recurring theme this season in high-pressure situations, they succumbed to a defeat.
Initially, they took a commanding two-goal lead in the opening 27 minutes, courtesy of Rasmus Hojlund. Unfortunately, the trajectory of the game shifted after Marcus Rashford received a red card, leading to their eventual loss.
According to reports, Manchester United has suffered defeats in nine out of their 17 games across all competitions this season. The last instance of such a performance was in the 1973/74 season, resulting in their relegation from the First Division.
Copenhagen secured their second goal from a penalty kick after Harry Maguire handled the ball in the box. Diogo Goncalves successfully shot past Andre Onana, leveling the score at 2-2 just before halftime.
As reported by TNT Sports, United holds the distinction of being the first team, since records began in the 2003/04 season, to concede a penalty in each of their first four games of a Champions League season.
On the opening day, Harry Kane successfully converted the first penalty in Bayern Munich’s 3-2 victory. Meanwhile, Mauro Icardi missed a penalty for Galatasaray at Old Trafford but later redeemed himself by scoring the winning goal.
In the first leg, Copenhagen came close to securing a point after Scott McTominay committed a foul in the box, but Onana made a crucial save. Yet again in the second leg, the three-time UCL winner struggled to maintain composure in the penalty area.
Compounding the night’s misfortune, Erik ten Hag’s team became the first in the club’s European history to suffer a defeat despite holding a lead of two goals or more.