Champions League | Redemption for Maguire, Onana as Man United beats FC Copenhagen 1-0
The Hindu
Harry Maguire and Andre Onana rescue Man Utd in 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen, dedicating victory to late Sir Bobby Charlton. Maguire scored the winner and Onana saved a penalty in the last kick of the game. Fans paid tribute to Charlton with chants and a minute's silence. Maguire and Onana redeemed themselves after being maligned this season.
A night of remembrance for Bobby Charlton turned into a night of redemption for Harry Maguire and Andre Onana.
Two of Manchester United's most maligned players this season came to the rescue Tuesday with big second-half moments in a 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen that ignited the English team's qualification hopes in the Champions League.
There were boos inside Old Trafford at halftime of the first match at the stadium since the death of Charlton on Saturday, with United’s players unable to use emotions stirred by the memory of the club great to make any headway against the group outsiders from Denmark.
The jeers turned to cheers for Maguire when the oft-maligned center back headed home a cross from substitute Christian Eriksen in the 72nd minute.
Onana, another player under pressure in the early stage of this season, preserved the win with a penalty save off the last kick of the game, clawing away the shot of Jordan Larsson — the son of former United striker Henrik Larsson — that was taken in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
“It was meant to be,” Maguire said. “We were meant to win the game — a magnificent save and a win dedicated to Sir Bobby and his family.”
After back-to-back losses to open Group A, this was a huge victory for Erik ten Hag’s team ahead of the return match against Copenhagen in two weeks.