Manchester United players must prove Erik ten Hag right against FC Copenhagen

Two matches into Manchester United's grand return to Europe's top competition and two losses is all they have got to show for it.

Losing at Bayern Munich is nothing to be ashamed of, even if the 4-3 scoreline was extremely flattering, but the debacle at home to Galatasaray certainly was. Twice United took the lead yet they conspired to throw it away in the most hilarious of fashions. An implosion of magnitude with horrendous mistakes, a red card and repeated acts of self-destruction.

It means after just two games United are staring down the barrel of a humiliating exit from the tournament Erik ten Hag and his players worked so hard to return to at the first hurdle. Not even a particularly high one.

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United welcome FC Copenhagen to Old Trafford on Tuesday afternoon and while it's not quite win or bust just yet, it's as close to it as can possibly be. 15 sides have managed to make it to the knock-outs after losing their opening two matches but that number drops steeply after three defeats.

Even if United did lose to the Danes they could still make it through but it through but it would mean beating both Galatasaray and Copenhagen away after losing at Old Trafford and then, depending on the result when those two sides face off again, they might have to get something at the Allianz Arena. It would be leaving a lot up to chance and United need to get points on the board.

Otherwise, elimination suddenly becomes a very real possibility. Something Ten Hag would be furious about. The Dutchman's top target throughout last season was to ensure he took the side back to the Champions League.

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