Manchester United meet Copenhagen at Old Trafford in a crunch Group A showdown in 2023-24 UEFA Champions League.
Victory will see Man Utd move up to third in Group A, whilst Copenhagen can go second with a win if Galatasaray lose to Bayern Munich.
Team News
Jonny Evans is a doubt for Man Utd after he was substituted during their win at Sheffield United with a foot injury.
Sergio Reguilon (illness) could also return to the matchday squad if he is match fit.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Luke Shaw (muscle), Casemiro, Kobble Mainoo (both ankle), Jadon Sancho (personal), Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo (both knee) remain sidelined.
Copenhagen will be without Andreas Cornelius for personal reasons which had been previously planned and agreed between club and player.
Birger Meling (unspecified), Noah Sahsah (knee) and William Clem (leg) are ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Man Utd host Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday 24 October at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sport 2 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd have won two of their three previous meetings against Copenhagen in all UEFA competitions (W2, L1).
- Copenhagen lost their only previous visit to Old Trafford by a 3-0 loss in October 2006 (L1), because their 2019-20 Europa League Quarter-Final was played at a neutral venue in Germany due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
- Each of the last two meetings between Man Utd and Copenhagen have ended in 1-0 results, with both teams winning one match apiece.
- Three of Utd’s five Champions League goals this season have been scored by Rasmus Højlund (L2).
- Copenhagen have scored first in each of their last five Champions League matches (W1, D3, L1).
Prediction
With two defeats in their opening two group matches, this match is already must win for Man Utd because they can’t afford to be as sloppy as they were in those two matches, which is a tough task given their defensive vulnerabilities with no clean sheets in their last four games.
Copenhagen though are a difficult team to beat as Galatasaray and Bayern both discovered already because this Danish team seem to hold little fear as underdogs, which could be an issue for Man Utd if they come straight out and look to question Utd’s defence quickly.
This clash also marks Utd’s first home game since Sir Bobby Charlton’s death on Saturday which should motivate the hosts to win in his memory, but this game won’t be an easy test given their form where individual moments seem to be key at present.
Man Utd eventually should get the job done because they realistically need to win otherwise they’re in a uphill battle in their final three group matches to qualify for the knockout stages.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Copenhagen
Result: Manchester United 1-0 Copenhagen
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