5 talking points as Maguire and Onana earn Man Utd vital win over Copenhagen
It was a special night at Old Trafford for Manchester United - but not just because of what transpired on the pitch.
The moving scenes before kick-off as players, fans, and coaches honoured the memory of Sir Bobby Charlton seemingly set the stage for a memorable occasion against Copenhagen. Instead, Erik ten Hag's men struggled to impose themselves, and the 0-0 scoreline after 72 minutes could have been worse had away striker Cupido Goncalves not hit the woodwork, while Lukas Lerager was brilliantly denied by Andre Onana.
But cometh the moment, cometh Harry Maguire. With time running out, he got on the end of a sublime cross from Christian Eriksen to head high into the net and keep the Red Devils alive in the race to qualify for the knockout stages, with Onana then superbly saving Jordan Larsson's last gasp penalty to win it.
Mirror Football reviews the five main talking points from Old Trafford....
Maguire's big moment
It was Christian Eriksen who arguably turned matters by coming on to create the winning goal, but it was the man who scored it who will rightfully take the headlines.
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Having been pillared by pundits and fans alike this season, Maguire was adjudged player of the match in the win at Bramall Lane on Saturday night. And he followed that up with a goal that could prove pivotal to United's hopes of progression in Europe.
Maguire has had a lot to say about his critics, as has his mother and England manager, but to respond in this manner is testament to his strength of character. The goal was followed by an excruciating VAR check which proved the centre back to be onside by millimetres. If anyone deserved a break, it was him.
Harry Maguire celebrates his winning goal (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! How did you rate Man United's performance? Comment below.
McTominay in the middle of it
For a player who looked certain to be leaving the club this summer, Scott McTominay is rapidly becoming the main man when United lack inspiration.
On a night where United toiled for long periods, the Scot did his best to drive them forward, linking with Rasmus Hojlund to prompt one first-half attack which culminated in the Scot himself heading over. He arguably should have done better, but it wasn't the only occasion where he looked determined to add spark to a disjointed first 45 minutes.
The late goals against Brentford and the strike against Sheffield United were no coincidence. Whilst Bruno Fernandes frustrated, McTominay again looked the man most likely when United were bereft of ideas. Yes, he conceded the late penalty - but Ten Hag would be well advised not to rush back the more hailed Casemiro.
Scott McTominay did his best to get on the ball against Copenhagen (Getty Images)Amrabat off the pace
Initially confined to an emergency left-back role at United since signing on loan from Fiorentina, Amrabat was finally utilised in his favoured deep midfield position against Sheffield United on Saturday and again tonight. But on this evidence, the Moroccan star needs time to find his feet.
He coughed up possession early on which nearly proved fatal, the counter-attack culminating in Goncalves hitting the post. And Premier League bosses would have noted how forward Viktor Claesson regularly dropped deep to harry the 27-year-old in possession.
Amrabat's range of passing again looked impressive when time allowed. But so often in Europe, and the Premier League, time is of the essence - and it was of little surprise when he was hooked at half-time for Eriksen.
A touching tribute to Sir Bobby
Sir Bobby Charlton would have approved of the result, but furthermore the emotional tributes that preceded kick-off at Old Trafford tonight did justice to the magnitude of the man.
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Turnstiles opened from 6pm at Old Trafford, by which point the famous 'Best, Law and Charlton' statue outside the stadium was enveloped with cards, flowers, and shirts and scarves with messages. And in the seat in the director’s box where the great man once sat, a wreath was placed in his honour.
Prior to kick-off Erik ten Hag, former teammate Alex Stepney and Under 19s Youth captain Dan Gore walked out to a lone piper, evoking memories of when United remembered Sir Matt Busby in 1994, before another wreath was placed on the centre circle. A stadium then fell silent before the referee's whistle prompted 'There's only one Bobby Charlton' to reverberate around the ground.
And only one there ever will be.
Erik ten Hag laid a wreath in tribute to former player Sir Bobby Charlton (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Onana's moment of redemption
It could be the moment that one day is talked about as the turning point in Andre Onana's Man United career.
With Jordan Larsson, son of former United player Henrik, set to ruin the night at Old Trafford the Cameroonian keeper came up trumps. He flung himself to his left, and clawed the penalty to safety, and the deathly hush around Old Trafford soon transcended into an explosion of noise.
To see both Maguire and Onana leave the pitch together after the final whistle was poignant. Two players previously much maligned, delivering when their club needed them most.
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