Manchester United Secures Huge Champions League Win Behind Two of Their Most Scrutinized Players
By Jeremiah Santos
(Photo : Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Andre Onana and Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrate after saving a penalty from Jordan Larsson of FC Copenhagen (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and F.C. Copenhagen at Old Trafford on October 24, 2023 in Manchester, England.
Manchester United 1-0 victory in their UEFA Champions League match against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday, October 24, at their home ground, Old Trafford.
The win would not have been possible thanks to the contributions of two players who have been under intense scrutiny.
Both Harry Maguire and Andre Onana have been under pressure and criticized heavily so far this season.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC)
Maguire's goal gave Man United the lead in a must-win UCL game, and Onana's stoppage time penalty save secured the result.
You can't write a script like that ❤️
Center-back Harry Maguire, who was stripped of his captaincy duties for the team over the summer, scored the only goal of the match in the 72nd-minute courtesy of a cross from midfielder Christian Eriksen.
The English team was clinging to their razor-thin advantage when midfielder Scott McTominay conceded a penalty for Copenhagen after the allocated four minutes of stoppage time.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has faced significant criticism since he arrived from Inter Milan in the summer due to several mistakes between the goalposts, of his young United stint.
The 27-year-old swatted away forward Jordan Larsson's penalty to secure United's first Champions League win of the season, keeping their chances of advancing to the knockout stage alive.
Harry Maguire vows to help the club
The 30-year-old, who was on the verge of moving to West Ham during the transfer window, despite being stripped of the captain's armband, which went to midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
"I'm really proud and pleased of the way I've acted over the last six to 12 months and I've been given an opportunity now and I just want to help the team and get the club back to where it should be," the defender stated after the match.
