What Manchester United need to do to qualify for Champions League knockouts after Copenhagen loss
Manchester United's hopes of progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League are in doubt following their dramatic 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen at Parken Stadium on Wednesday night.
In what was a topsy-turvy encounter, Copenhagen scored twice in the final seven minutes, recovering from 3-2 down, to clinch an unlikely victory. Substitute Roony Bardghji netted the winner on 87 minutes, just four minutes after Lukas Lerager had made it 3-3.
United, who had Marcus Rashford sent-off in the first half, raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of a Rasmus Hojlund brace with less than half an hour on the clock. But following Rashford's dismissal in the 42nd minute, Copenhagen fought back to ensure the scores were level at half-time.
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Despite being a man light, United restored their advantage with just over 20 minutes of normal time remaining, going into a 3-2 lead via a Bruno Fernandes penalty. A spot-kick was awarded after Harry Maguire's downward header hit an outstretched arm.
United, up until the final 10 minutes, looked poised to record a vital win that would have elevated them to second in the group. Instead, they are now bottom, having lost three of their first four group games.
It means the Reds now face an uphill struggle to escape the clutches of Group A and progress to the last 16 of the competition. MEN Sport has taken a look at the current state of play and what United need to do to keep their European adventure alive.
With two rounds of fixtures remaining, United sit bottom of the group on three points, but only a point behind both Galatasaray in third and Copenhagen in second. Bayern Munich sit