Referee blunder sees first half of Manchester United vs Copenhagen end before 45th minute

Referee Marco Guida blew his whistle for half-time in Manchester United's Champions League clash with FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford before the clock had struck the 45th minute.

The Italian whistle-blower brought a goalless first half to a close with 44 minutes and 41 seconds on the clock, sparking a slight sense of confusion inside Old Trafford. The whistle was met with a smattering of boos from the crowd, presumably for his decision to call time early.

However, it is possible that the boos were aimed at United's players after another uninspiring first-half performance on home soil. The Reds have now scored just one first-half goal in their last four Old Trafford outings.

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Copenhagen were the better of the two sides, hitting the post through Diogo Goncalves with the best chance of the first half. United were lacklustre and slow in possession.

Rasmus Hojlund, who was facing his former club, had United's best chance of the first period, firing an effort over the bar on the angle after a brilliant first-time pass by Marcus Rashford. It would have been a brilliant goal had the Dane's effort found the net.

As for Guida's decision to blow the whistle for the break early, it prompted a response from United's fans watching on TV at home. They immediately pointed out the Italian's blunder, though some joked that he was keen to bring a drab first half to an end as quickly as he could.

Below, MEN Sport takes a close look at what some of them had to say on social media...