Man Utd's XI from Copenhagen clash in 2020 includes six stars who've left
Just over three years ago, Manchester United needed an extra-time penalty to defeat Copenhagen in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Boss Erik ten Hag will be hoping for a much smoother night on Tuesday when the Red Devils host the Danish giants at Old Trafford. United are desperate for a positive result as they sit rock bottom of their Champions League group after two defeats in their opening two games.
They have a prime chance to do that against Copenhagen, who have registered just one point so far. The visitors will be looking to replicate their performance from that quarter-final in Cologne in August 2020.
It took an extra-time spot-kick from Bruno Fernandes to finally take them through to the semi-finals. Though the Red Devils dominated the second half, they were unable to find a way past Copenhagen keeper Karl-Johan Johnsson.
But Fernandes finally broke their resistance five minutes into extra-time, with Copenhagen failing to have a shot on target. Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer selected a starting lineup that now looks unrecognisable from the current team.
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Sergio Romero started in goal, in one of just 61 appearances he would make during his six years at Old Trafford. He kept 39 clean sheets in that time, but after not playing a single game the following year, he joined Venezia.
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The Manchester United line-up that faced Copenhagen in August 2020Aaron Wan-Bissaka started at right-back, though has lost his place in the line-up to Diogo Dalot since Ten Hag's arrival. He is dealing with a hamstring injury and will not play on Tuesday, much like Eric Bailly who is no longer at the club.
Bailly failed to impress during his time at the Red Devils and ended his seven-year stay by joining Besiktas in the summer. The Ivory Coast international started alongside Harry Maguire at centre-back, with the Englishman likely to feature on Tuesday.
Maguire will likely be the only member of the defence to play the rematch with Copenhagen. Brandon Williams was the left-back three years ago, but he is now on loan at Championship side Ipswich.
Both of the holding midfielders are also no longer at the Red Devils. Paul Pogba left United in the summer of 2022 to rejoin Juventus, though the Frenchman has endured a difficult time since moving back to Turin.
His central midfield partner that night was Fred, who was much-maligned during his spell at Old Trafford. The Brazilian is now at Fenerbahce, while a sixth player has also since left Old Trafford, with Mason Greenwood having joined Getafe in the summer.
The rest of the attacking lineup are still at the club, with Fernandes set to captain United on Tuesday. Marcus Rashford will likely join him in the starting XI, though striker Anthony Martial is expected to be forced to settle for a place on the bench.
Man Utd's XI vs Copenhagen 2020: Romero, Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Williams, Pogba, Fred, Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial
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