Manchester United’s search for a first Champions League win of the season drags on with Kobenhavn’s trip to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
While conceding seven goals – the second-most of any club this term – United suffered defeat at the hands of both Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
Only two clubs in the modern history of the Champions League have lost their opening three group games and still progressed to the knockout stages. The swashbuckling Atalanta spearheaded by Papu Gomez, Duvan Zapata and Josip Ilicic emulated Sir Bobby Robson’s Newcastle United before lockdown swept across the globe during the 2019/20 season.
Here’s the XI Erik ten Hag may deploy in search of a result which would not force United to join an elite selection of group-stage escape artists.
GK: Andre Onana – Since the start of last season, Onana boasts the most Champions League clean sheets with eight. Yet, he has also conceded three or more goals on four separate occasions in the same time frame. Feast or famine.
RB: Diogo Dalot – Another rocket into the top corner this midweek would not go amiss after Dalot’s blast earned United three points against Sheffield United on Saturday.
CB: Raphael Varane – Between the summer of 2015 and 2018, Varane notched up more Champions League titles (three) than defeats (two) in the competition.
CB: Harry Maguire – Hailed by Ten Hag after his “proactive” and “dominant” display against the Blades, Maguire could be in line for his first Champions League appearance of the season.
LB: Victor Lindelof – Unless Sergio Reguilon can finally shake off his hamstring injury – although excessive shaking may not help his recovery – Lindelof could be shoehorned onto the left of defence yet again.
CM: Sofyan Amrabat – “You cannot sleep at home all day,” the ambitious midfielder has said in the past, “you have to work, give your everything.”
CM: Scott McTominay – Across his last 66 minutes of action for United, McTominay has scored three goals – more than all but one player in the club’s squad this season.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – It was Fernandes’ extra-time penalty which decided the tight Europa League quarter-final when these clubs last met in 2020.
RW: Mason Mount – Any peckish members of United’s squad would be best advised to sidle up to Mount. “Mason’s suitcase is like a snack room,” his international teammate Declan Rice once revealed.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – Growing up with Kobenhavn sheets on his bed, Hojlund left his boyhood club disillusioned by a lack of opportunities in the first team. Tuesday’s clash is the perfect stage to show them exactly what they let go.
LW: Marcus Rashford – A whopping 33 shots across all competitions this season has earned Rashford just one measly goal. The England international scored with 17% of his efforts last season but is currently averaging a pitiful conversion rate of 3%.
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