What’s wrong with U, Man?

Amongst several other problems, three-time Europian champions Manchester United are on the verge of being knocked out as they face FC Copenhagen in must-win encounter tonight

Manchester United are in desperate need of a win at FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday as they battle to avoid an embarrassing group-stage exit. The three-time European champions sneaked past the Danish side 1-0 at Old Trafford last month thanks to a last-gasp penalty save from goalkeeper Andre Onana. Heavy defeats by Manchester City and Newcastle have since ramped up the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag, which was only eased slightly by a 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.

United third in Group A

United are third in Group A, six points behind leaders Bayern Munich and one adrift of Galatasaray. If they fail to win in Copenhagen, Galatasaray could be in a position to knock United out when the sides meet in Istanbul on November 29.

Erik ten Hag

Recruitment United fans have frequently voiced intense frustration at the running of the club by the Glazer family, but Ten Hag has still enjoyed a huge transfer budget. More than £400 million ($497 million) has been spent in the past three transfer windows, with few obvious successes. Former Ajax winger Antony, bought last year for £86 million, has rarely lived up to his huge price tag, scoring just eight goals in 55 appearances. Mason Mount, like Antony, has regularly found himself on the bench in recent weeks just months after a £55 million move from Chelsea, and has yet to score for his new club. 

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Onana saves from the spot

Onana’s penalty save against Copenhagen was atonement for costly errors against Bayern and Galatasaray as United lost their opening two group games of a Champions League campaign for the first time. 

One of the criticisms aimed at Ten Hag is that he has been too reliant on the Dutch market, which he knows well. Eight of his signings have previous experience of playing in the Eredivisie but many of them have struggled with the extra demands of playing for one of the world’s biggest clubs in the Premier League.

Ten Hag is frequently criticised for failing to impose an identity and style of play, nearly 18 months into his reign, but he has been hampered by injuries to key players.

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