Three talking points from Manchester United 1-0 FC Copenhagen

Manchester United beat FC Copenhagen in Cologne yesterday to secure their place in the last four of the Europa League.  

Copenhagen made Manchester United work for the victory, forcing the Red Devils into extra time. United started a little leggy but grew into the game as proceedings went on.

United eventually secured their place in the last four of this season’s Europa League and will face Sevilla or Wolves next in the semi-finals.

So what caught our interest?

Reds rewarded for relentlessness

Manchester United had to fight for the victory, and fight they did. They weathered several spells of opposition pressure and stayed calm in their pursuit of a winner.

United created attack after attack and thought they’d gone in front when Greenwood fired home but it was pulled back for offside. The Reds pushed on, hitting the woodwork on three occasions including a fierce drive from Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno Fernandes has had a direct hand in 10 shots so far vs. F.C. Copenhagen:

• 7 shots taken
• 3 chances created

Had to get a G/A eventually. 😅 pic.twitter.com/HNofJV6b3Z

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 10, 2020

Goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson had the game of his life, making 13 saves in a bid to shut out the Reds.

Karl-Johan Johnsson made 13 saves vs. Manchester United, not conceding from open play.

An unbelievable performance. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/4uh992qnqR

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 10, 2020

It took a Fernandes penalty in extra time to breach the Danish side’s defence and end their resistance. The Portuguese international fired home his 11th goal of the season from the spot to secure United’s semi-final spot.

Martial Art

Anthony Martial took his time to get into the game yesterday but when he did, boy did he get in. The French international is a serious problem for opposing defenders when he gets going.

Anthony Martial’s game by numbers vs. F.C. Copenhagen:

100% pass accuracy
5 successful take-ons
4 passes into the box
4 shots (3 on target)
4 fouls suffered
3 chances created
2 ball recoveries
1 big chance created
1 penalty won

A really impressive display. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/653SDrhOtn

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 10, 2020

He has the deadly mix of pace and close control defenders hate playing against, and he brought it out to full effect late in yesterday’s game. After Juan Mata’s introduction, the Frenchman began to link up with the Spaniard and turned it up a notch or two.

This link-up won United the penalty which Fernandes converted and Martial showed his class, leaving Robin Van Persie purring over his performance.

"Too fast. Too silky."

Robin van Persie hails Man Utd's world-class performer against Copenhagen – https://t.co/ZU7fAhDGtW pic.twitter.com/MBkytTW4tz

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) August 10, 2020

Romero’s replication

Sergio Romero kept his place in goal for the game and kept another clean sheet. The shut-out means that the Argentine keeper has kept eight Europa League clean sheets this season, as many as he managed in the 2016-17 campaign.

Sergio Romero in the 2016-17 Europa League:

❍ 12 games
❍ 8 clean sheets
❍ 4 goals conceded

Sergio Romero in the 2019-20 Europa League:

❍ 9 games
❍ 8 clean sheets
❍ 2 goals conceded

Six goals conceded in 21 games. 🤪 pic.twitter.com/mA633ZrJfC

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 10, 2020

Fresh linens are the order of the day when Sergio is in goal, and he looks set to better his previous exploits this campaign.