Trying to summarise why Manchester United lost 4-3 to FC Copenhagen is certainly a tough task. The Red Devils looked to be cruising in the game but ended up suffering an embarrassing defeat.
The defeat against the Danish side has left Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United bottom of their Champions League group with their fate now out of their hands.
United have the tough task of travelling to Turkey to play Galatasaray before hosting Bayern Munich in the final game of the group stage.
Here are five reasons why the Red Devils lost the match.
VAR
Ah, VAR. It’s getting to the point with VAR where it is becoming almost farcical. The red card on Marcus Rashford, the penalty against Harry Maguire and the penalty won by the Englishman, it was a truly bizarre performance from the automated system.
The Rashford dismissal really swung the tide in the Danish side’s favour and they began piling on the pressure as time went on.
However, with 10 men, the Red Devils took the lead again through a Bruno Fernandes penalty but it was the same old problems occurring that cost the Red Devils.
Lack of concentration
With United under the cosh and with a lead to hang onto, they just had to be smart and not take any risks.
Well, Aaron Wan Bissaka didn’t read the script as his forceful pass to Andre Onana forced the goalkeeper to adjust before kicking it out but the ball had gone over the byline.
The Danish side equalised from that corner which highlighted the lack of concentration from Diogo Dalot, who had a good game from left-back all in all. Lukas Lergaer snuck in behind the Portuguese defender to equalise.
Raphael Varane then, after the Danish side equalised, decided to try a bizarre pass that was easily intercepted and then the hosts were ahead for the first time. The winning goal from Roony Bardghji came from the Frenchman’s lapse in concentration.
Jonny Evans injury
Predicting in the summer that a Jonny Evans injury would cost United would be very left-field but it has come to fruition. The 35-year-old defender was substituted for Varane and this was another big blow.
Evans and Maguire have looked assured at the heart of the defence and the absence of the veteran defender turned out to be a big blow and could be a big loss going forward.
Ten Hag’s substitutions
The Dutchman has come in for some criticism due to his substitutions and this is the case once again with Rasmus Hojlund, who looked dangerous, being taken off for Mason Mount.
United, as a result, lost the only player who could hold the ball up and take the pressure off his defenders.
The decision to bring on Mount for Hojlund looked like one that should have been made when the Red Devils were leading but nevertheless, it was a bizarre one.
Lack of ruthlessness
Truth be told, the game should have been out of sight by the time Rashford was given his marching orders.
The Red Devils were in complete control of the first 45 minutes but failed to capitalise on that dominance and kill the game with a third goal.
Questions will be rightly asked as the Red Devils prepare to take on Luton Town at Old Trafford this weekend.
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