Labouring comes hand-in-hand with Manchester United’s performances in the Europa League, and they made hard work of their tie against Copenhagen – needing an extra time penalty from Bruno Fernandes to qualify for the semi-final.
United started as if suffering with big stage nerves; their defensive anxiety exemplified with a period between the 15th and 20th minutes where Brandon Williams had to clear off the line and then Fred and Eric Bailly both made defensive mistakes to present a golden opening for Copenhagen. They did not take advantage.
Solskjaer’s team missed the composure of Nemanja Matic – and a similar figure in defence. How he must wish he could have a player with the cool and smart decision making of the Serbian and the explosive energy of Fred. He only has one of each and Matic’s calming presence should be the preferred quality for big games.
Even so – this was a side from the Danish league, and United, who were 3rd in the Premier League, should have been making comfortable work. It wasn’t. Their best spell came in the last five minutes of the half when their opponents seemed to be tiring from their own hard work. It was in this spell when Mason Greenwood had the ball in the net, but the goal as rightly ruled out for offside.
There was a similarly frantic spell in the second half – Greenwood and Fernandes both hit the post with long range efforts, and from the former, Rashford had another goal disallowed.
But these positive spells were flurries rather than sustained periods of dominance, and the Danes found a second wind, finishing the normal ninety minutes with a lot of energy. Anthony Martial had one effort six minutes from time that required Johnsson in the Copenhagen goal to make a fantastic save.
That was one of several, and a couple more followed in the opening moments of extra time, as United launched another of their high pressing attacks. This time they got lucky. The ball fell to Martial, who was felled in the box. Bruno Fernandes did what he does, and tucked the ball home. The predictable complaint everywhere around the world was that this was United’s 21st penalty of the season. Video technology ought to have put such complaints to rest – but obviously not.
A second should have followed. Juan Mata had an effort saved, as did Fernandes, and Lindelof hit the post. But United couldn’t add another, and Copenhagen staged a late push but never really threatened an equaliser.
United, then, are through with few complaints when it comes to being worthy winners. Nobody can complain about the penalty, other than, maybe, Solskjaer, who might have expected to see his team find a goal without needing a penalty.
Selection
The best thing to do is note the players brought in who might not have played otherwise. But Eric Bailly and Fred do not exude stability and what we saw was enough of a strong enough argument to suggest United might be wiser to concentrate their squad strengthening in these areas rather than the protracted negotiations for a winger. Just a thought.
Ratings
Romero 6
Wan-Bissaka 6
Bailly 6
Maguire 7
Williams 6
Pogba 7
Fred 5
Greenwood 6
Fernandes 8
Rashford 6
Martial 8
Subs :
Matic 6
Lindelof 7
Mata 7
Lingard
McTominay
