Manchester United snatched a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen thanks to a goal from Harry Maguire and a late penalty save from Andre Onana in what manager Erik ten Hag labelled “showing personality”.
Onana has had a rough start to his United career since signing in the summer from Inter, with his manager standing by him to improve. In what was an already emotional night at Old Trafford as those who attended paid tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton, Ten Hag praised his goalkeeper for the performance he knew he had in him all along.
He said: “He showed personality.
“He knows the levels and what his skills are, and he hadn’t matched his skills and could do better.
“It was a very good performance on Saturday and tonight. He is a very good penalty saver.”
Also contributing to the victory was Maguire; after being subject to much criticism in recent times and struggling to maintain his place in the team, the defender started his third successive game for the first time since Ten Hag came in.
Scoring what was to be the only and winning goal of the tie, Maguire’s header in the 72nd minute hit the back of the net, much to the joy of the fans. With a solid performance at the back too, his manager was happy with the performance he saw.
“He is playing much more proactively in possession, stepping in, passing vertical and defending on the front foot, very confident in the duels.
“I think he is dominating his opponents. It was a very good goal from him, a great pass from Christian, but a very good finish.”
