Rasmus Hojlund cites controversial decision as reason for Manchester United defeat vs Copenhagen

Rasmus Hojlund believes the referee's decision to send Marcus Rashford off in Manchester United's game against FC Copenhagen changed the game.

United needed three points in their Champions League against Copenhagen on Wednesday night and they made the perfect start to the game, going two goals ahead within 30 minutes thanks to a brace from Hojlund.

But disaster struck shortly before half-time when Rashford was sent off for a clumsy challenge after a VAR review.

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Copenhagen smelt blood and they scored twice before the break to level the game. It was always going to be a challenge after surrendering the lead, but United were comfortable when play resumed.

The hosts weren't dominant at the start of the second half, despite having an extra man, and United restored their lead in the 68th minute thanks to a brilliantly converted Bruno Fernandes penalty.

The travelling United fans at the Parken Stadium hoped that was the winner, but Copenhagen scored two goals in quick succession in the final 10 minutes and that condemned the Reds to a 4-3 defeat.

After the game, Hojlund told TNT Sports: "I think we started very well, to be honest. We controlled the game until the red card and that changed the match, of course.

"If you don't have a look at the result, if you only take the [opening] 20 minutes into account, I think we did quite well.

"I think we switched off a little bit [after the red card]. We were playing a game with one man down, so of course, it's giving them belief and I know how the crowd can help the team here.

"It gave them a big boost. We did quite good at the beginning of the second half, we