Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana celebrates with Manchester United's Harry Maguire and teammates after saving a penalty kick. Photo: AFP
Harry Maguire headed a second-half goal and goalkeeper Andre Onana saved a penalty deep in stoppage time to power Manchester United to a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday for their first victory in the Champions League this season.
"Of course it is incredible and a great night," United manager Erik ten Hag said.
"Especially in the dying second when you concede a penalty, but a brilliant save from Andre Onana."
Back in the competition after a one-year absence, Ten Hag's side moved into third place in Group A after collecting a precious three points after three games. Bayern Munich top the group with nine points after beating Galatasary 3-1 earlier.
The victory looked in doubt when Copenhagen's Jordan Larsson - son of former Celtic striker Henrik - stepped up to the spot after Scott McTominay attempted a clearance and caught Elias Achouri in the head with a high boot in the 94th minute. But Onana dived to his left to push the shot away before being mobbed by team mates at the final whistle.
"I'm just doing my job, the most important thing is to win against a tough team," Onana told TNT Sports. "I am happy for the victory, we did a good game and a big goal from Harry.
"We are Manchester United. We are a big club, big players. It's just a matter of time, now we have to continue like this. I have no doubt we will make it."
Maguire, who has been the target of fan abuse in recent months, had the Old Trafford faithful on their feet when he broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, Christian Eriksen's long ball into the area finding the defender at the far post.
"It is amazing," Maguire said on the fans chanting his name.
"When you are not on your game it gets picked up, but I am really proud and pleased how I have acted over this six to 12 months.
"I have been given an opportunity and I want to help the team and get the club back to where it should be."
A night that began on a solemn note with a tribute to club great Bobby Charlton, who died on Saturday at age 86, ended in celebration with fans singing "There's only one Bobby Charlton".
The victory was United's first in the Champions League since a 2-0 away win at Villarreal on November 23, 2021.
United have had a mixed start to their season and they struggled to begin with on Tuesday with a sloppy first half of poor passing and missed tackles that earned them boos from the home crowd at halftime.
There was a string of several near misses in a five-minute stretch after the break that seemed to suggest a goal might be coming, including a breakaway by Marcus Rashford that he ran out of play after one touch too hard.
A few minutes later, Alejandro Garnacho had fans on their feet when he was sent in behind Copenhagen's back line, but a heavy touch from the Argentine allowed goalkeeper Kamil Grabara to snatch the ball.
It was left to defender Maguire to grab the goal that secured the win.
"We were better in the first half," said Copenhagen manager Jacob Neestrup. "(United) started the second half better, but the last 15 minutes was equal again. We are that close, to keep the game alive that late in the game."
Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag carries a wreath of flowers next to former Manchester United's player Alex Stepney and Manchester United youth player Dan Grove as they are accompanied by a pipe player during a tribute to late Manchester United player Sir Bobby Charlton. Photo: afp
Arsenal win
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus scored either side of halftime as Arsenal completed a 2-1 win at Sevilla, a hard-fought result that takes them to the top of Group B at the midway point of the pool stage.
Martinelli raced clear from his own half to score the opener four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first period as he completed a lightning break, before Jesus added a second goal shortly after halftime.
Sevilla offered little in the first half and were much improved after the break as they pulled a goal back when Nemanja Gudelj headed home, but the equaliser they so desperately sought eluded them despite some near misses.
Arsenal top the group with six points from their three games. Lens are in second place with five points, followed by Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven with two each.
Mikel Arteta's side never had complete control of the contest despite taking a 2-0 lead, and it will be some relief for him to leave with the three points.
Martinelli had a superb chance to give Arsenal an early lead when he was put through on goal but his shot was saved by Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.
Arsenal forwards Gabriel Jesus (L) and Gabriel Martinelli. Photo: Photosport
It was a warning to the home side that they did not heed, and Martinelli made sure second time around when another chance presented itself just before the break.
He raced clear from Jesus's clever pass and this time rounded the goalkeeper before scoring.
Sevilla had two chances in the opening half when Lucas Ocampos poked wide from Jesus Navas's cross and Youssef En Nesyri pulled his shot across goal and off target when well placed.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard fired over the bar early in the second period but the London side did manage a second goal on 53 minutes.
Jesus curled in a shot from a narrow angle to keep up his record of having scored in every Champions League group game so far this season.
The visitors needed that insurance goal too as Sevilla pulled one back five minutes later when Gudelj headed home from a corner.
The home side had several chances to score again but some scrambling defence and a late miss from Ocampos allowed Arsenal to hold on.
- Reuters