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Manchester United’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout section of the Champions League are left hanging by a thread after defeat to FC Copenhagen final night time left them backside of Group A.
It was all going to plan for Erik ten Hag and his troops, with the clock ticking in the direction of half-time in Denmark.
Rasmus Hojlund’s spectacular double had given United a commanding 2-0 lead and searching extra seemingly so as to add a 3rd than the house facet decreasing the arrears.
Nevertheless, Marcus Rashford’s conflict with Copenhagen defender Elias Jelert noticed the United ahead proven a straight purple card and Copenhagen made use of the 13 minutes’ of stoppage time to get into the break on stage pegging.
Rashford’s dismissal was little question the turning level in a recreation United had been in full management of.
The character of the choice added insult to damage with the VAR by some means concluding that Rashford had stamped on Jelert slightly than getting his physique in entrance of the defender to guard the ball.
It was certainly one of many questionable selections made on a dramatic night time that noticed the sport see-saw again in United’s favour by Bruno Fernandes’ second-half penalty earlier than Copenhagen scored twice within the remaining seven minutes to safe the invaluable three factors.
As reported by Metro, Jelert was noticed with a bandaged ankle after the sport and spoke on the match defining incident, admitting even he felt Rashford was unlucky to see purple.
“It’s after the deal with on the purple card, which I additionally assume is unlucky. He simply tries to display, however I get hit excessive and wiggle my ankle violently. Now that it has cooled, I can really feel it’s stiff and swollen,” he mentioned.
Jelert additionally revealed the United man apologised to him after the collision and confirmed his perception that there was no ill-intent behind the incident.
“Sure, once they checked on VAR, he was there to express regret. So there was nothing malicious about it,” he added.
Rashford will now miss the must-win conflict with Galatasaray on Matchday 5.
A defeat in Turkey would formally finish United’s return to Europe’s prime desk and even a win would depart them needing one thing from the ultimate group recreation in opposition to Bayern Munich.
Earlier than then nevertheless, United should get again to successful methods by seeing off Luton City who go to Outdated Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
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