What a night it was in Copenhagen. The Danish champions staged a remarkable comeback to beat Manchester United 4-3 in a thrilling Champions League clash that left the visitors stunned and humiliated.
United had a two-goal lead thanks to Rasmus Hojlund, who scored twice against his former club in the first half. But everything changed when Marcus Rashford was sent off for a foolish foul on Elias Jelert. The referee showed him a red card, and United showed their fragility.
Copenhagen scored three goals in 12 minutes, either side of halftime, to turn the game around. United briefly equalized from a penalty, but Copenhagen scored again to seal the win. The Parken Stadium erupted in joy, while United’s players hung their heads in shame.
This was not just a defeat. This was a disaster. This was a meltdown. This was a humiliation. This was a wake-up call.
United are now in a precarious position in Group A, with three points and two games left. They face two tough opponents in Galatasaray and Bayern Munich, and they may need to win both to qualify for the last 16. If they fail, they will face the ignominy of dropping out of Europe’s elite competition.
But this result was more than just a setback. It was a symptom of a deeper problem. A problem that has been plaguing United for a while. A problem that has to do with their manager, Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag was hailed as a genius when he joined United in 2022, after leading Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals. He was supposed to bring back the glory days to Old Trafford, with his attractive, attacking, and adventurous style of play.
But things have not gone according to plan. Ten Hag has struggled to impose his philosophy on United, and his team has been inconsistent, erratic, and erratic. United have been knocked out of the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, and they are sixth in the Premier League, eight points behind leaders Liverpool.
Ten Hag has also failed to get the best out of his players, especially his star signings. Rashford, who came through the academy at United, has been a disappointment, scoring only six goals in 18 games. He has also shown a lack of discipline, as his red card against Copenhagen proved.
Bruno Fernandes, who arrived from Sporting Lisbon for £80 million, has been a bright spot, but he has also been overworked, playing in every game this season. He has scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists, but he has also missed four penalties, including one against Copenhagen.
Harry Maguire, who joined from Leicester City for £70 million, has been a liability at the back, making costly errors and conceding penalties. He has also been involved in off-field controversies, such as his arrest in Greece last summer.
Ten Hag has also alienated some of his players, such as Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, and Mason Greenwood, who have been unhappy with his tactics, his rotation, and his criticism. Pogba, who was once United’s talisman, has been relegated to the bench, and he has been linked with a move away from the club.
Ten Hag has also been linked with a move away from United, as he has reportedly attracted interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, who are both looking for new managers. He may be tempted to leave United, especially if they fail to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
But he may not have a choice. United’s board may decide to sack him, as they have done with his predecessors, such as Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Louis van Gaal. United have a history of being ruthless with their managers, and they may not tolerate another failure.
Copenhagen, on the other hand, have nothing to fear and everything to enjoy. They have defied the odds and shown that they can compete with the best. They have a chance to make history and reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
They have a coach, Stale Solbakken, who has been loyal and successful, winning 13 league titles and eight cups since 2013. They have a team, led by Lukas Lerager, who has been impressive, scoring three goals in 10 games this season. He is also the captain of the team and a leader on and off the pitch. They have a spirit, a mentality, and a belief that is unmatched.
They are the new giants of Europe, and they are not done yet. They are ready to take on anyone, and they are not afraid. They are here to make history, and they are here to have fun.