COPENHAGEN:
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said his side need a turnaround in fortunes after collapsing in a 4-3 defeat at FC Copenhagen that left the Red Devils close to a Champions League exit.
United went 2-0 up inside half an hour in the Danish capital after Rasmus Hoylund struck twice against his former club.
But a red card for Marcus Rashford after a VAR review on 42 minutes changed the course of the game.
Copenhagen made the most of 13 extra minutes at the end of the first half to equalize through Mohamed Elyunoussi and Diogo Goncalves’ penalty.
Bruno Fernandes restored United’s lead from the penalty spot, but the Danish champions struck twice in the final 10 minutes through Lucas Lerager and 17-year-old Rooney Bardgi to secure their first Champions League win since 2016.
A third defeat in four games leaves United down in Group A.
But Ten Haag was unhappy with Copenhagen’s first two goals being awarded and Rashford being sent off.
The former Ajax boss believed Elyunoussi’s strike should have been ruled out for offside and that the decision to penalize Harry Maguire for handball inside the area was harsh.
“We played really well until the red card. The red card changed everything. Then we conceded two goals that should never have counted,” Ten Haag said.
“Not just tonight. Right now we are in a season where we have a lot of decisions going against us.
“That’s right. I’m sure it will turn around. A season is long and at some point it will turn around in our favor.”
A ninth defeat in 17 games this season increases the pressure on Ten Haag’s position.
However, the Dutchman believes there are positives from his side’s performance before Rashford’s harsh dismissal.
There appeared to be no intent from the England international when his studs caught Elias Jelert on the ankle as he tried to protect the ball.
United had arguably their best first 30 minutes of the season so far as two attacking finishes from Hoylund took his tally to five Champions League goals in four games.
“I saw a lot of positives from this game, but in the end we probably lost some concentration,” Ten Hag added.
“Also, with 10 (men) we still controlled the game.
“(The players are) very disappointed of course. We fought so hard, we played so well and we still don’t have a point.”
United can still reach the ’16’ as they sit a point behind Galatasaray and Copenhagen in the battle to join Bayern Munich in the knockout stages.
Ten Hag’s men travel to Galatasaray in three weeks’ time before welcoming Bayern to Old Trafford on December 12.
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