Manchester United 1-0 FC Copenhagen Player Ratings: Red Devils Struggle Through With Penalty
By Ali Rampling
Manchester United are through to the Europa League semi finals after a 1-0 extra-time victory over FC Copenhagen
The heavily un-fancied Danish outfit kept United at bay for 90 minutes, before Bruno Fernandes broke the deadlock in the the first half of extra time from the penalty spot.
Let's get into some player ratings.
Manchester United
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Sergio Romero (GK) - 6/10 - Made a couple of comfortable saves but enjoyed a relatively quiet evening.
Brandon Williams (LB) - 6/10 - Made a vital headed clearance from a goal-bound corner early in the first half. Showed a real eagerness and promise going forward, but got caught out defensively a couple of times in the second half, with Copenhagen looking dangerous down their right hand side.
Harry Maguire (CB) - 6/10 - Produced a crucial last-ditch lunging tackle to keep out Copenhagen in the first half. His distribution was ambitious, with the defender frequently attempting - and overhitting - a straight long ball into the United forwards, who struggled to get in behind all evening.
Eric Bailly (CB) - 7/10 - Was selected ahead of Victor Lindelof and demonstrated excellent awareness and intelligence with a selection of important blocks and interceptions inside the United box.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) - 6/10 - Was relatively quiet and not his usual probing, dangerous self going forward, but remained untroubled defensively. Prevented a near-certain goal with a superb block from point blank range in the second half.
2. Midfielders
Fred (CM) - 7/10 - Sluggishly gave the ball away deep in his own half in the first 20 minutes which led to a Copenhagen opportunity, but was otherwise composed and calm in possession. Came close to unlocking the Copenhagen backline with a selection of searching passes.
Paul Pogba (CM) - 6/10 - Played very deep alongside Fred in the first half, and although tidy in possession was relatively quiet. Got forward more in the second and forced keeper Karl-Johan Johnsson into a comfortable save from range, and exerted more of an influence on the game towards the latter stages.
Bruno Fernandes (AM) - 8/10 - Showed flashes of quality in the first half, but really started to make his mark in the second. Picked out Greenwood and Rashford in the box with a couple of clever passes - and United could have been in had the pair's touches not deserted them. Clattered the post with an excellent long range effort, before testing Johnsson with a fizzing strike. Expertly converted his spot kick.
3. Forwards
Marcus Rashford (LW) - 6/10 - Saw a second half goal ruled out for offside, and fluffed a great opportunity as he failed to connect cleanly with a Fernandes' pass. Struggled with Copenhagen's low block as he was unable to run in behind the back line.
Anthony Martial (ST) - 8/10 - Initially a quiet, frustrating night for the United striker as, much like Rashford, he was forced to drop deeper and deeper to collect the ball. Came alive in the final 10 minutes of normal time, forcing Johnsson into two excellent saves and embarking on a number of darting runs. Eventually made a match winning contribution as he was brought down to win United's penalty.
Mason Greenwood (RW) - 6/10 - Had a characteristically composed finish chalked off for offside in the first half, before striking the post with a sweetly struck left footed effort in the second. Having looked United's most dangerous player in the first half, he was kept very quiet in the second.
4. Substitutes
Nemanja Matic - 6/10
Victor Lindelof - 6/10
Juan Mata - 7/10
Jesse Lingard - 6/10
Scott McTominay - (N/A)