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Manchester United have been handed an advantage ahead of their must-win Champions League fixture against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday, with their opposition’s key striker Andreas Cornelius ruled out.
At the moment, United sit bottom of Group A with zero points after suffering defeats to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
Erik ten Hag’s men must win against FC Copenhagen if they are to have any realistic chance of making it out of the group and advancing to the next round of the competition.
Ten Hag is set to be boosted by the potential returns to the matchday squad of Kobbie Mainoo and Sergio Reguilon.
Jonny Evans, who had to be taken off during the game vs. Sheffield United at Bramall Lane is also expected to be available for selection to the United boss.
The Red Devils’ long-term absentees remain to be the likes of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Lisandro Martinez.
Fotboll Skanalen via SportWitness reports that FC Copenhagen will also miss the services of goalscorer Andreas Cornelius.
What’s confusing is that Cornelius featured for his side over the weekend in their 2-1 win over Vejle when he made his “long-awaited comeback.”
He grabbed an assist for the winning goal.
It was expected that he would be fit enough to make the trip to England for Denmark but according to a club statement issued by Jacob Neestrup’s side, Cornelius’ exclusion was pre-planned to give the goalscorer the best chance of making a full and unhindered recovery.
Neestrup remarked, “Andreas Cornelius will not travel to Manchester, but it has been planned for a long time and he is not injured.”
“We believe it is necessary to exclude him from this match to ensure that his comeback is as good as possible.”
The Danish footballer himself told Tipsbladet, “It was planned in advance. There is nothing in it. It’s all about dosage. I can’t play three games in a week.”
In addition to Cornelius, The Sun adds that FC Copenhagen will also be without defender Birger Meling, who came off during their Superliga victory against Vejle.
The newspaper further states, “Tuesday night’s game will come too soon for William Clem, Noah Sahsah and Nicolai Boilesen.”
Meanwhile, United star Rasmus Hojlund may come up against his brother, Oscar, who is set to be on FC Copenhagen’s bench.
Oscar’s twin brother Emil is also contracted to FC Copenhagen but chances of him featuring are slim.
