COLOGNE, Germany (AP) – Manchester United was awarded a penalty in overtime from Bruno Fernandes to qualify for the Europa League semi-finals after beating Copenhagen on Monday 1-0.
In a sweltering heat, the young United team controlled the lion’s possession percentage, but struggled to create transparent opportunities until Andreas Bjelland knocked out Anthony Martial in the penalty area. Fernandes passed the ball past goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson to give United the lead in the 95th minute.
Once again a Europa League game against a team from a smaller league with limited finances was tighter than expected, five days after LASK Linz restricted United to a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
“His goalkeeper probably had the game of his life, it was good, but then, I can say we have to be more clinical in the knockout games,” said United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Mason Greenwood and Fernandes hit the wood with shots in general time and previous video reviews carry United with two of their most productive scoring opportunities.
First, the VAR scored an offside United penalty in preparation. Just before half-time, Greenwood put the ball at the bottom of the net after a flash of the right flank, but the replay showed it was offside when Marcus Rashford’s pass was played.
The resolution was a blow to United after the purpose of the obvious breakthrough came just as the England team was impressed to be frustrated and making speculative shots against a Danish team playing their first European quarter-final.
Copenhagen striker Mohamed Daramy made his way past United’s defense to fire in the 17th, but his shot blocked through Harry Maguire, and the Jens Stage’s follow-up also blocked.
For United coach Solskjaer, he fit in with a reunion with his former Norwegian teammate and friend Stale Solbakken, the Copenhagen coach.
Solbakken vocals from the band, shouting to his team ahead in overtime. During previous drink breaks, he heard his players say that “we were the most productive team,” which was true for much of the 90 minutes. Despite creating some goal opportunities in promising positions, Copenhagen did not record any shots to the arc.
United will face Sevilla, a five-time Europa League champion, or English Wolverhampton, in the semi-finals on Sunday. They play their quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Until Sunday’s semi-final, United will be in UEFA’s “bubble” in western Germany.
Solskjaer said this meant that the situations would not be optimal for recovery, compared to Manchester, and that he would not be allowed to attend the Sevilla-Wolverhampton match. “We just want to make the most of a complicated scenario in warm, wet situations,” he said.
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