Copenhagen star’s mentality ahead of Manchester United clash cause for concern for Red Devils

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Manchester United should be overwhelming favourites to beat Copenhagen but nobody is sure of anything right now.

Cast your mind back to 1999 when Manchester United faced Danish side Brondby in two back to back games in the Champions League group. After draws against Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Sir Alex Ferguson‘s side dealt out two thrashings, a 6-2 away win and a 5-0 home victory.

This week’s opponents from Denmark are unlikely to be put away so easily. And nor are the Manchester United side of 2023 anywhere near the same calibre of the ’99 team.

Ahead of this week’s match between Manchester United and Copenhagen, it is the Danes who sit above us in the group table.

Copenhagen coming to win

Copenhagen have a point advantage over Manchester United, after an awful start which has seen the Red Devils slip to two straight losses.

And worryingly, instead of coming to Old Trafford with fear or trepidation, Copenhagen enter the game believing they can pile the pain on Manchester United.

Moroccan winger Mohamed Elyounoussi, formerly of Southampton, is not daunted by the task ahead.

He told Bold.dk: “We are there to win and to take points, and we are not there to go sightseeing

“We must take at least one point, and that is what the plan is. We’ve had two good games against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich, and now it’s about not just good games, but that we also get it done.

“Now they have started badly in our group, so now it’s about keeping them last in the pool. We are looking forward to the match.”

Manchester United need comfortable win

Let’s go back to ’99 for a moment, when Manchester United demolished Brondby 6-2 away from home, their players were already beaten by time they turned up at Old Trafford for the second match.

This time United play at home first, and this provides an opportunity to change Copenhagen’s mindsets, from their current confident mentality.

A big 4-0 or 5-0 win for Manchester United tonight will see Copenhagen’s players slink back into their shells a little for the home game in a fortnight’s time.

But a draw, or even a narrow win for United by a single goal, will leave the Danes with enough belief that they can pull off a result in the home match.

This is a chance for United to lay a marker down for the next game, as well as simply being important to get the three points on the night.