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Martha Thomas says she has rediscovered her smile on the pitch following her summer switch to Tottenham from Manchester United and is thriving on the belief being shown in her at her new club. The Scotland forward concluded a two-year stay with United after a 2022-23 season in which she made 20 Women’s Super League appearances for Marc Skinner’s side but only one start within that, scoring one goal. Moving on to Robert Vilahamn’s Spurs, Thomas – starting at centre-forward – went on to net six times in the team’s first four league games this term to top the early Golden Boot standings, and was named Barclays Player of the Month for October. Asked if she had surprised herself at all with her form, the 27-year-old told the PA news agency: “No, I think I’ve always had the belief in myself – it’s just having people around me that sort of believe in that as well.” Regarding last season, Thomas said: “Personally, it was a really tough season for me, off the pitch, on the pitch, mentally, physically. I felt quite drained. “It was hard because the team was doing quite well, so I was happy for the girls around me. But when it came to the summer, I knew what the best decision for me would be. “I was playing in a team sometimes not even in my actual position that I feel I’m best at. So it was definitely the right time for me to step away, because I knew they weren’t getting the best out of me and I wasn’t getting the best out of myself there. It no longer felt like the right fit. “There was definitely times throughout the season where I did feel like I deserved that chance and sort of wasn’t given it, or was given it but then not given long enough to show it. “That’s just the way it goes. United had their best finish (second), so it’s sort of hard to really argue – but at the same time I felt like I needed and deserved more, so it was the right time for me to get that somewhere else. “I wasn’t enjoying my football. I needed just to enjoy it again, and I needed to find my smile again on the pitch.” She added: “I didn’t feel like I came here with a point to prove, I just feel like it’s worked out that way because I’m playing football with a smile, that’s when I play my best, and you’re just now seeing what I’m actually capable of doing. “If I’m happy and playing in a team where I feel valued and they’ve got that belief, then I’m going to play my best and the goals are going to come. “I think I’ve settled in really well here, I think the style Robert wants to play and the team we have complement me quite well.” While Thomas has been on her hot streak, Tottenham striker Bethany England, who had a major impact for them last term after joining in January, has been recovering from hip surgery. Vilahamn, as well as stressing his belief Thomas can win the Golden Boot this season, has said he is confident he will find a way for the two to play together, something Thomas says she can see herself doing, adding: “I think we would complement each other really well.” Having finished ninth last season, then appointing Vilahamn in July, Tottenham are currently in the Champions League places, lying third as one of four teams with 10 points from five games, three behind leaders Chelsea. Last Sunday’s 1-1 home draw with Everton followed a run of three successive wins, and Thomas said: “For us to be really gutted with that draw shows what kind of finish we’re looking for. We’re looking to climb as high as we can. “The top three, four teams have had that consistency over the past however many seasons and that’s what other clubs need. But I think with the start you’ve already seen, it wouldn’t be surprising to me to see another team break into that – and we can hope it’s us.” Tottenham host Liverpool – another side on 10 points – on Sunday. Read More Ten Hag calls out referee’s ‘harsh’ decision to red card Rashford Rumours: Man United could sell duo in January and Newcastle target midfield pair How can Man United qualify in Champions League? Marcus Rashford red card: Why was Man Utd star sent off? Champions League: What do Man United, Newcastle and Arsenal need to reach last 16? Man United miss yet another crucial turning point to lurch to new crisis levels

Bruno Fernandes knows Manchester United have a “mountain to climb” if they are to keep their Champions League campaign alive following Wednesday’s chaotic late defeat at Copenhagen. A night that began with talented Rasmus Hojlund’s brace against his former club ended in a crushing 4-3 loss sparked by Marcus Rashford’s contentious red card late in the first half. United boss Erik ten Hag was unhappy with that decision and disputed the Copenhagen goals that quickly followed from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves. Fernandes put Ten Hag’s 10 men back ahead from the penalty spot in the second half, only for Lukas Lerager and substitute Roony Bardghji to inflict United’s third defeat in four Group A games. It leaves the Red Devils bottom and facing an early Champions League exit, with defeat at Galatasaray sealing that before hosting already-qualified leaders Bayern Munich in their final match. “We have a mountain to climb, so we must climb,” captain Fernandes told UEFA after the defeat at Parken. “We have two games and we have to win those two games. “Before tonight, our aim already was to win our remaining three games. We couldn’t win today. We have to win the next two.” Fernandes continued that theme when speaking to MUTV, saying: “You have to win them if you want to keep in the Champions League and stay in the best competition. “We have to win against the best, so we have a really tough game away against Galatasaray and after, we play against the top of the group. “We want to win both but now we have to focus on Luton (in the Premier League on Saturday) because it’s going to be a tough game again. “We need three points in the league, we need to get back to the winning track after this defeat and keeping on the winning track in the Premier League.” Obviously the mood is not the best because I think we've fought so hard with 10 men Bruno Fernandes United’s clash with promoted Luton will be key to the mood around Old Trafford heading into the international break. Defeat in Saturday’s Premier League match would send the club into a tailspin on the back of some poor performances and a galling loss in Denmark. “I think for everything we did in the game, we could – and we should – have got something from the game,” disappointed skipper Fernandes said. “It’s difficult at the moment. Obviously the mood is not the best because I think we’ve fought so hard with 10 men. “Even from then, it was playing against a team that plays really good on the ball and apart from that, many decisions that were against us. “Today was a tough day but I think the team effort was good, we tried. “We could have done some things better, but it was difficult for us from the 30 minutes on, playing with one player less.” Rashford’s red card is sure to be pored over in the aftermath but United dealt well with being a man down after half-time. “Yeah, of course, we understood that we could get something from the game, we could win the game there,” Fernandes added. “But obviously, as we said, it’s difficult to play so long with 10 men. “In some moments they will get spaces because you’re running behind the ball, you’re trying to get into everywhere with every player. “It’s difficult to cover so much space and they got their two goals to win the game.” Read More Los Angeles Angels appoint veteran former Texas Rangers boss Ron Washington Will Perrett up for another battle against the odds as he targets the Olympics Michael Vaughan: England should secure Champions Trophy spot for next generation Football rumours: Newcastle interested in Kalvin Phillips and Ruben Neves On this day in 2007: Warren Gatland appointed Wales boss Sarina Wiegman ‘in good place’ with England and not looking at job in men’s game

For all that Erik ten Hag discussed refereeing decisions in public, he struck a different tone in the privacy of the Parken dressing room. “It will turn,” he told his Manchester United players. “One moment in the season it will turn in our favour." The assertiveness was at least striking, but it's hard to know whether that still has the same effect. If only his team were so sure of themselves. This is why it’s difficult to have much faith in what the Manchester United manager said in the aftermath of another farcical defeat, this time 4-3 to Copenhagen. Ten Hag argued that so many individual moments and decisions are going against his team but, even if that’s true, it doesn’t feel like that is the main factor in these miserable results. It is more how vulnerable United repeatedly look after those moments go against them. They are a team that plays under a huge weight - of history, of form, of expectation. It clearly feeds into a huge anxiety. They become a team that plays with fear. The problem with Ten Hag’s “one moment” is that it’s become evident that moment can be so quickly undone by what follows. It could even be argued that's repeatedly what's happened. They've arguably already had a series of such moments, from Rasmus Hojlund's goal against Galatasaray to Andre Onana's penalty save against Copenhagen and Bruno Fernandes' penalty strike in Parken. They were all squandered. Worse than squandered. Such reprieves were just followed by collapses that were all the more exquisite in their haplessness. That’s how United can somehow come up with new calamities that are different to the last. It is genuinely remarkable for a club this wealthy and this distinguished. There’s always some new farce around the corner. That plays into what is almost the most alarming prospect right now. In situations like this, the tendency is usually to survey the fixture list and see where you might pick up points. For United, though, any notionally forgiving game just raises the prospect for more punishment; more criticism. This match at Parken was the ninth defeat in 17, after all. It was also a case in point. Copenhagen are a well-run and smart club that are clearly overperforming but the vast gap in resources means it should still be the sort of game that allows United to settle, while setting them on the way to second place in the group. Worse, that was actually exactly what it was, in two separate spells. United were 2-0 up and cruising and then 3-2 up and comfortable. How it went from those situations to raucous Copenhagen celebrations… United’s capacity for calamity is now a direct inverse of their old ability to win out of nothing. It’s not quite a sense of inevitability in the same way but it is that constant possibility something can go badly wrong. Copenhagen, as their manager Jacob Neestrup virtually admitted, could smell it. They felt the opportunity. And, again, Ten Hag can fairly point to so many decisions going against him like that Marcus Rashford red card; like the offside in front of Andre Onana. It’s just that, rather than competently see out the game in the way a side as expensively assembled as United should, there was that knowledge that this was about to get interesting. Rather than any kind of control, chaos once more engulfed United. There are other reasons for this than just basic psychology. Ten Hag doesn’t have the team playing as he wants. There have been personnel issues, especially with injuries. But, even there, what of a relatively expensive signing like Raphael Varane? How could a player as accomplished as that produce a performance as bad as this? That late attempt at a pass said so much, while setting the tone for what followed. This game perhaps laid bare that Ten Hag simply wasn't picking him because he just wasn’t at the level. Instead, the Leicester City central defensive partnership from 2019 were chosen to start this crucial Champions League match. That isn’t intended as a slight on either Jonny Evans or Harry Maguire, it’s more just the starkness of what it states about United’s team building. All of this has already been discussed repeatedly over the past few weeks and there’s only so many times you can say the same things without being desensitised, but that’s also the entire point. Even amid all that, United find new ways to astound. As much as players have individual responsibility in all of this, you could forgive each and every one of them thinking what they have got involved with. Likewise Ten Hag, but then he was specifically chosen to turn all of this around; to be transformative. His team right now only seem to be transforming the semblance of competence into yet another collapse. So, a fixture as forgiving as Luton Town at home this weekend isn’t so much a chance to set things back on track but an afternoon fraught with risk. Likewise this Copenhagen match. Likewise a game the entire season could hinge on at Galatasaray. United’s consistent confusion has at least brought a form of clarity there. They know they need to avoid defeat to Galatasary to stay in the Champions League, and prevent a third group stage elimination in six campaigns in the competition. That is just more historical weight to go with that from this fixture in Istanbul. “Welcome to hell” was the infamous banner at that Champions League elimination 30 years ago. United are currently in a strange purgatory. Read More Erik ten Hag rages at ‘three tough decisions’ in Manchester United defeat Manchester United’s latest farce points to an early Champions League exit Copenhagen vs Man Utd LIVE: Champions League result and reaction Manchester United must pass Copenhagen test to stop their Champions League rot Manchester United receive devastating Casemiro injury update Eddie Howe makes no apologies for Newcastle’s no-nonsense approach to winning

What the papers say Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is reportedly weighing up making a bid for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips and Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves in January, according to the i newspaper. Phillips has fallen out of favour at Manchester City, while the Mirror reports a meeting between Premier League shareholders could block Newcastle’s move for Neves as both Newcastle and Al-Hilal are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze is close to signing a new contract with the club after he reportedly agreed to the deal in principle, the Daily Mail reports. The Mirror says Bayern Munich will join the race to sign 24-year-old Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. Zubimendi has played 12 games in LaLiga this season with a goal and an assist. Social media round-up Players to watch Jadon Sancho: Fabrizio Romano reports the Manchester United forward is expected to leave the Old Trafford in the January transfer window. Casemiro: Clubs from the Saudi Pro League are interested in the 31-year-old Manchester United midfielder, according to 90min. Read More On this day in 2007: Warren Gatland appointed Wales boss Sarina Wiegman ‘in good place’ with England and not looking at job in men’s game Australia skipper Meg Lanning calls time on glittering international career

Erik ten Hag was angered by “three tough decisions” that went against Manchester United in a chaotic late loss at Copenhagen that damages their chances of reaching the Champions League knockout phase. Wednesday’s helter-skelter Group A encounter started with a Rasmus Hojlund brace against his former club but ended in a crushing 4-3 defeat sparked by Marcus Rashford’s red card. The United forward was sent off after a VAR review late in the first half for catching Elias Jelert, with Mohamed Elyounoussi quickly scoring before Diogo Goncalves levelled from the spot. Bruno Fernandes’ penalty put the visitors back ahead in the second half, only for Lukas Lerager and substitute Roony Bardghji to score in a blockbuster conclusion to a bonkers match. “It’s clear we’re very disappointed and because you play very good,” Ten Hag said. “I think we started the game so well. The best minutes of this season. “We are winning the game and I think the red card changes everything. “Then we concede two goals before half-time, which should never have counted. “First is offside, second a penalty and that is – in four games – four penalties against. I say three are very debatable. “(Rashford’s red) is also harsh. I think he went for the ball and the referee needs such a long time to make it a red card.” Ten Hag says an offside player was in Andre Onana’s vision when Elyounoussi scored and was aggrieved by the decision to award handball against Harry Maguire for Goncalves’ penalty. The United boss was also annoyed by the slow motion and freeze frame shown to referee Donatas Rumsas by the VAR as he decided on Rashford’s red. “I think when you freeze it, it always looks worse,” Ten Hag said. “As I say, it takes them so long and they make a red card of it. “I’m very disappointed about such decisions. I think the game is never meant to be like this. “It has nothing to do with football. Decisions have to be made and I accept that also wrong decisions are made by some at this level. “Three such tough decisions, you control the game and I think the game is never meant to be for that.” The defeat leaves United bottom of Group A and knowing they will be unable to reach Champions League knockout phase if they lose their penultimate match at Galatasaray at the end of November. “This squad is resilient,” Ten Hag said. “The whole season, so many decisions are against us, so many setbacks for injuries. “Every time there is a spirit, there is a fight and we will keep going because I am sure and I said to the lads it will turn – on one moment in the season it will turn in our favour.” Copenhagen counterpart Jacob Neestrup admitted Rashford’s red card changed the dynamics of a win he felt his side deserved after their promising start to the group. “I have never said in the first three rounds we have been unlucky,” the head coach said. “I’ve said it’s been a lack of quality. “If there was something that was called luck in football, then we’ve got it today. But we also hunted. “The early goal made us very, very shaky. We are the second best team on the pitch in the whole first half until the red card. “That of course changed momentum for the next 15 minutes in the first half where we scored two goals. “Of course the red card changed the opportunities in the game and for me as Copenhagen coach it was by far the weakest performance we have had in this group stage so far. “If you take the picture today, then we maybe didn’t deserve three or maybe even one point. “But if you take it over four rounds, then it’s very, very well deserved that Copenhagen is in second place because I believe truly that we have been the second best team over four games. Not today, but over four games.” Read More Mikel Arteta allays Bukayo Saka injury fears after starring role for Arsenal Australia skipper Meg Lanning calls time on glittering international career Jarell Quansah could fill in for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in Toulouse Gareth Southgate ponders defensive options ahead of naming latest England squad Jos Buttler wants to remain as England one-day captain despite poor World Cup Lauren Williams opens up on challenging time coping with Tokyo heartbreak

England boss Sarina Wiegman is happy in her current role and has no desire to work in the men’s game. Wiegman has done a brilliant job with the Lionesses since taking over in 2021, guiding them to Euro 2022 success before finishing as runners-up in this summer’s World Cup. Following her exploits with the women’s national team, she has released a book called ‘What It Takes’, detailing her life as a coach and her philosophy in getting the best out of players. In the book, the 54-year-old, who is under contract until 2025, writes about being open to returning to club football, but insists she has no immediate wish to leave her job with the Lionesses. “I’m really happy here with the team, with the Football Association, I get all the support,” she said. “I have so much expertise around me and I work with the best players and they’re so committed and really enjoying it. “I have the impression that they’re still enjoying it too. I’m not thinking, things go so fast in football, and time flies too, but I still have a contract for two years. I’m in a good place.” Wiegman has been so impressive in her role with the Lionesses that the possibility of her replacing Gareth Southgate as the men’s boss has been mooted. The Dutchwoman believes she would be capable of succeeding, but is not enthralled by the spotlight she would come under. I’m really happy here with the team, with the Football Association, I get all the support Sarina Wiegman “In football, it’s still the question of can a female coach a male team?” she said. “I think in every sector females are in higher positions, so that’s a little bit strange (it isn’t in football). “I think a female can coach a men’s team. My thoughts are not there. I am just really happy in the role I work in now and I am really enjoying it. “And, as you say, sometimes I think when I see it, it is so personal, also with men in the men’s game. I think, how much fun is that? “We know Corinne Diacre coached a men’s team in France and more females also in Italy coached men. I think it is a matter of time and I think when first one happens it will be really big – but I think then more will follow. “When I was a little kid I was not allowed to play football as a girl, but now everyone says, ‘Oh why not?’ Hopefully in 20 years we say, ‘Why did we think females couldn’t coach males?’ Hopefully that will change quickly.” Wiegman has won praise for her people skills, even though her direct nature has potential to cause problems. Her book features contributions from people that she has worked with over her career and one contribution from a coach at the Dutch FA described her as a “pain in the ass”. “That was funny,” Wiegman said. “I sent him a text the other day, ‘pain in the ass?’. “We can act like everything is always right, the sun’s always shining, but that’s not the case, it’s not always nice. “We’ve seen lots of nice things like the end product but it’s very hard work and it’s overcoming setbacks, and getting critics but also learning from it. “It’s good to share because no one in life has only good experiences, everyone makes mistakes too and try to learn from the mistakes and do things better every day. “That’s part of life, I think that makes people more powerful to share some vulnerability. “That’s what they say, that we (the Dutch) are direct, what’s important for me is that I’m clear in my messages. “Clarity of how we want to play, how we want to treat each other, clarity on performances, that’s key to improve. “There’s no grey area. Direct doesn’t mean rude. “We should not confuse those two because you don’t have to be rude to be clear; you can also be nice and kind but saying what you see and think. “We all want to perform at our highest level, then you need to give honest feedback.” Read More Erik ten Hag: Harsh Marcus Rashford red card changed everything in Man Utd loss Mikel Arteta allays Bukayo Saka injury fears after starring role for Arsenal Australia skipper Meg Lanning calls time on glittering international career Jarell Quansah could fill in for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in Toulouse Gareth Southgate ponders defensive options ahead of naming latest England squad Jos Buttler wants to remain as England one-day captain despite poor World Cup

Mikel Arteta played down concerns over Bukayo Saka’s fitness after he was forced off during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Sevilla in the Champions League. Saka scored in front of England manager Gareth Southgate to help the Gunners record a third victory in Group B and move within touching distance of the last-16. Arteta substituted goalscorer Leandro Trossard and the excellent Gabriel Martinelli in the 81st minute but left Saka on and seconds later he went down holding his ankle after landing awkwardly before he limped off. Arsenal host Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday while Southgate names his England squad for this month’s European Championship qualifiers with North Macedonia and Malta on Thursday, but Arteta suggested his six-goal attacker would be fine despite this latest bruising encounter. He said: “At the end he wasn’t comfortable to carry on. Hopefully it’s not too much but I’m really pleased with his performance. “I think he’s getting used to it (being kicked). I don’t think that’s going to change, especially with the way he plays and the way he attracts players, so he better get used to it because I don’t think it’s going to change. “It was just a kick and I was told by the physios on the radio he wasn’t happy to continue. So he will have some discomfort but hopefully I am going to assume he will be OK.” After the controversy of last weekend’s loss at Newcastle, where Arteta labelled the decision by VAR to award Anthony Gordon’s winner as “embarrassing”, this was a much-needed routine night for his injury-hit team. With Eddie Nketiah ruled out with an ankle knock to join Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines, Trossard led the line and broke the deadlock when he finished off a slick move in the 29th minute. Jorginho unlocked the Sevilla defence with a wonderful through ball to Saka, who squared for Trossard to stroke home his fifth goal of the campaign. Saka, who was fouled four times inside the opening 17 minutes, made the points safe with a smart finish after 64 minutes. Martinelli released the England international away on the right and Saka cut inside Adria Pedrosa before he curled into the bottom corner. Arsenal would have qualified for the knockout stages had Lens been victorious at PSV. But with a four-point gap at the top of Group B, the north London club will almost certainly continue their Champions League adventure in 2024. Arteta added: “I think it was more of the really good things that we did against Newcastle. We didn’t need a response because the team performed extraordinarily well against a team that are really difficult to play against. “Today it needed other requirements, tactically we needed something else and we implemented what we wanted really, really well, so I’m really happy with the last two performances.” On top of worries over Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu was also taken off during the interval. “He had some discomfort in the first half,” Arteta said of the defender. “We didn’t want to take any risks because he’s played a lot of minutes. With Alex (Oleksandr Zinchenko) on the bench ready to come in, I think it was the right decision.” On Odegaard (hip) and Nketiah (ankle), Arteta added: “They are racing against the clock to be fit. “They tried their best to be here today with us, it wasn’t possible and we have another 48 hours before we play Burnley. We’ll try again and see because we need players at the moment.” Sevilla only managed their first shot on target in the seventh minute of stoppage time and suffered a second group defeat. Boss Diego Alonso admitted: “We weren’t able to put in the performance we wanted to. “Our opponents were better than us and did well. Our aim was to win the ball high up the pitch, but we were very far away from their area. That is my assessment.”

Worse than a defeat that could decide Manchester United’s Champions League season, this was almost multiple losses in one as Erik ten Hag’s hapless side found new ways to just collapse. Twice. An evening that had almost everything left United with nothing, and looking so unconvincing. It wasn’t quite defeat from the jaws of victory but farce from the semblance of competence. United somehow lost 4-3 in Copenhagen to leave themselves in danger of going out at the group stage for the third time in eight years. They are currently bottom of the group, but that only comes after they just bottomed out. United had been leading mere minutes from the end of normal time in both halves and, incredibly, twice went in behind. The second was of course the one that mattered, as Ten Hag’s side disappeared from view to the soundtrack of raucously celebrating Copenhagen fans. This was one of the greatest nights of their history. It was one of United’s most miserable recent results, which is saying something. There were mitigating factors, such as Marcus Rashford’s contentious red card, but they don’t fully explain this. It is why the word “somehow” does a lot of the heavy lifting here, in the way United’s ponderous midfield didn’t. The blunt truth was that this brought together many of the problems Ten Hag has been enduring from this season. Above anything, beyond the lack of tactical idea, there was the lack of conviction. That’s where the biggest issue lies. It just should never have got to this in the modern Champions League against a club as moderately resourced as Copenhagen. It should never be the case that a serial Champions League winner like Raphael Varane offers up a late pass like that. It said so much about the game, and what was wrong. The manner of their final two match-winning goals were so easy, and the most damning aspect of that was they almost represented a mirror of how the game started. The defeat was all the more galling because of how good it looked. United were through and ahead without even doing too much. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was presented with a route down the right that saw Scott McTominay free right by the goal. He so easily squared for Rasmus Hojlund to just slot in. The young Dane was back where he grew up and making himself at home again. The second was an even easier finish, although did admittedly require more graft to get there. It had also come out of a situation where there was a warning for United. Copenhagen were beginning to get at their defence more. Openings were appearing. Through that, though, a massive opening appeared behind them. From one defensive clearance, Alejandro Garnacho just surged forward to force a save from Kamil Grabara but there was Hojlund to just tap it in again. It looked so easy but of course came from a pounding run as the rest of the Copenhagen defence was concentrating on Garnacho. That was an admittedly rare burst, though. It was conspicuous even before that goal that United were trying to cautiously control the game. It was like Ten Hag was trying to build confidence in the gameplan again. They were so studiously keeping possession and looking to construct moves, but without too many strides. That made what followed all the more ironic. The game quickly went out of all control. Perhaps the two are connected. It might not have got to that had they seized the initiative. But they were 2-0 ahead. It should have been safe. It ended up coming down to an interpretation over Marcus Rashford’s level of control. Either way, the referee judged it was a red card, and off the forward went. That happened at 42 minutes, which might have been time enough for United to just see it to half-time. There were instead a massive 13 minutes of stoppage time, although two of those were admittedly for moments unrelated to play. One was when a supporter ran on with a Palestinian flag. Another, shortly afterwards, was when a different fan had to be tended to by medics. The stadium announcer mercifully stated soon afterwards that he was awake and well. All of that still meant there were more than 20 minutes for United to play through until the break, but they began to fold with alarming speed. Diogo Goncalves had already hit the bar with a free-kick. On exactly 45 minutes, he squared for Mohamed Elyounoussi to finish. The Copenhagen crowd had already been buoyant, especially behind that goal, but they were by now electric. There was that sense of opportunity. It was far from the last time that was to happen. It was also a moment that brought another debatable decision - although this admittedly the least of them. The ball struck Harry Maguire’s hand in the area, and Goncalves struck his penalty well. There were a mere 10 minutes between Rashford’s red and the penalty decision. Making the result even worse, they were then granted a reprieve through a decision that was far more debatable. There was another handball that can only be described as a “Champions League decision”. Bruno Fernandes at least ensured the penalty was beyond doubt, smashing it into the top corner. This, with 10 men, was when Ten Hag’s more cautious control might have been warranted. They should have just seen the game out in a professional and tactical manner. That’s just now how you can describe United at the moment, though. They have persistently been playing with the fear that it can all suddenly go wrong, as if one bad moment can lead to an entire bad game. So it was. There was another lightning quick collapse, the goals even easier than those Hojlund had plundered in the first half. On 83 minutes, Rasmus Falk crossed for Lukas Lerager to finish from close range. On 87, substitute Roony Bardghji smashed home a deserved goal that saw the Parken Stadion erupt. The game ended with Copenhagen, and their budget that is a fraction of United’s, just playing the ball around with ease. The next game away to Galatasaray now might be one the entire season - and potentially Ten Hag’s future - hinges on. Read More Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli dazzle to lead Arsenal towards Champions League last-16 Man Utd throw away lead twice after Rashford red in damaging Copenhagen defeat Copenhagen vs Man Utd LIVE: Champions League result and reaction Rumours: Chelsea and Man Utd want £43m full-back as Arsenal delay Toney chase Jacob Neestrup: Parken atmosphere is 100 times more intense than Old Trafford

Mikel Arteta is hopeful Bukayo Saka will be fine after the Arsenal forward was brought off with a “knock’’ in the Champions League victory over Sevilla. Saka was the star of the show as Arsenal brushed Sevilla aside in a 2-0 win at the Emirates, setting up Leandro Trossard’s opener before doubling the hosts’ lead in the second half. But the 22-year-old was once again on the receiving end of several fouls from the Sevilla defenders and signalled to come off late in the contest after an awkward landing. Arteta, however, did not appear to be overly concerned after Saka’s early exit. Arsenal host Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, while Gareth Southgate watched on at the Emirates ahead of announcing his England squad on Thursday ahead of qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. Saka will be hoping to return to the England squad after missing October’s internationals and Arteta said: “It was just a kick and I was told by the physios he wasn’t happy to continue. I want to assume he will be OK.” Arteta said Saka is “getting used” to being on the receiving end of challenges after Sevilla fouled the winger four times inside the opening 20 minutes of the Group B fixture. “That’s not going to change,” Areta said. “The way he attacks players.” Arsenal were without captain Martin Odegaard and striker Eddie Nketiah against Sevilla, but Arteta said both are “racing against the clock” and could be fit for Saturday. Gabriel Jesus, who was also missing due to injury, will not be back until after the international break. Read More Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli dazzle to lead Arsenal towards last-16 Bukayo Saka does not fear burnout and is keen to feature in every Arsenal match Eddie Nketiah hits hat-trick as five-star Arsenal sweep aside Sheffield United

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Real Sociedad all booked their places in the knockout stages of the Champions League with two games to spare on a dramatic night of European action. Bayern made it four wins out of four in Group A but only after a frantic finish in their 2-1 win over Galatasaray. The visitors had the ball in the net just after the hour but Lucas Torreira was offside, and Bayern took the lead when Harry Kane flicked in Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick with 10 minutes to go, with the goal awarded following a VAR check after initially being ruled offside. Kane then doubled the lead with his 25th career Champions League goal, turning in Mathys Tel’s cross in the 86th minute, and they needed the cushion as Cedric Bakambu scored for Galatasaray in stoppage time. Galatasaray dropped to third behind Copenhagen after they won 4-3 in a chaotic game with Manchester United, who blew a 2-0 lead after Marcus Rashford was sent off in Denmark. Rasmus Hojlund’s early brace against his former club put United in control despite the loss of Jonny Evans to injury, but the night changed when Rashford saw red for a challenge on Elias Jelert following a VAR intervention in the 42nd minute. Ex-Southampton forward Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back before Diogo Goncalves levelled from the penalty spot after a Harry Maguire handball deep into first-half stoppage time. Bruno Fernandes restored United’s lead with a 69th-minute penalty after Lukas Lerager handled, but the Copenhagen midfielder made amends with an 83rd minute equaliser before Roony Bardghji won it four minutes later, leaving United bottom of the group before their trip to Istanbul. Real Madrid cruised through with a 3-0 win over Braga. They overcame an early scare when Alvaro Djalo missed a penalty for the visitors after Lucas Vazquez fouled Cristian Borja just four minutes in, but once Brahim Diaz put them in front in the 27th minute there was no looking back. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo added to the scoreline with two goals in five minutes early in the second half, and there was no way back for the visitors. The other Group C game between Napoli and Union Berlin ended 1-1 as David Fofana’s first Union goal – and the club’s first away from home in the Champions League – cancelled out Matteo Politano’s opener. Inter edged out RB Salzburg 1-0 in Austria to secure their progress, with the game decided by Lautaro Martinez’s 84th-minute penalty after Mads Bidstrup handled in the area. And that result also saw Real Sociedad go through from Group D after their 3-1 win over Benfica earlier in the evening. Early goals from Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal had Sociedad in control after just 11 minutes and it was 3-0 10 minutes later as Ander Barrenetxea fired into the roof of the net. Brais Mendez hit the post with a penalty just before the half hour and Rafa Silva pulled one back for Benfica early in the second half, but Sociedad comfortably took the points. Arsenal are in control of Group B after goals from Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka earned a 2-0 win over Sevilla. The Gunners top the group with nine points, four clear of PSV Eindhoven and Lens, who are level on five after Luuk de Jong’s 12th-minute header was enough for 1-0 win over Lens, who had substitute Morgan Guilavogui sent off late on. Read More Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli dazzle to lead Arsenal towards Champions League last-16 Manchester United’s latest farce points to an early Champions League exit Real Madrid issue Jude Bellingham shoulder injury update Real Madrid stay second in LaLiga after goalless stalemate with Rayo Vallecano Cristiano Ronaldo scores 400th goal since turning 30 as Al Nassr beat Al Khaleej

Arsenal took a huge step towards qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Champions League as Bukayo Saka starred in victory over Sevilla before limping off late on. Saka set up the opening goal for Leandro Trossard before scoring the second himself as the Gunners secured a straightforward 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium that leaves them on the cusp of the last 16. Mikel Arteta opted to play Trossard through the middle as his central striker with Eddie Nketiah joining Gabriel Jesus in the treatment room, with the Belgium forward the only change from Saturday’s contentious defeat at Newcastle. There was not such drama here although four early fouls on Saka went unpunished as both Nemanja Gudelj and Kike Salas left their mark on the England international. Kai Havertz, without a goal from open play since his £65million summer move from Chelsea, fluffed his lines with an early headed chance, but Arsenal set out their intent from the off. Saka went down again under close contact from Salas, but this time Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs was unmoved as the hosts wanted a penalty. Just moments later, however, and the deadlock was broken. The lively Saka unsurprisingly laying on the assist for Trossard to tap home – but Jorginho was the architect with a slide-rule pass to start the move. It proved to be the only shot on target of a forgettable first half as Sevilla, without a LaLiga or Champions League win under head coach Diego Alonso since his appointment last month. Havertz bent an effort inches wide as Arsenal went in search of a second after the break and Trossard should have done better soon after, but curled his strike the wrong side of the post. It was Saka, though, who made the difference once again, beating the offside trap to race onto a Gabriel Martinelli pass before cutting inside Adria Pedrosa and tucking home with aplomb. Gabriel Jesus had provided the goal and assist that ultimately saw off Sevilla in Spain a fortnight ago, but he was injured during the game and has not played since. The same went for Saka here, who fell awkwardly and limped off with five minutes to go, with England manager Gareth Southgate – who announces his next squad on Thursday – watching from the stands. Arteta had said on the eve of the game that Arsenal should “put to bed” qualification for the last 16 with two games to spare and his players did their bit. But PSV Eindhoven’s win over Lens leaves Group B open, although a draw against the Ligue 1 side at the Emirates Stadium in three weeks time would be enough for Arteta’s side to advance. Read More Jarell Quansah could fill in for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in Toulouse Gareth Southgate ponders defensive options ahead of naming latest England squad Jos Buttler wants to remain as England one-day captain despite poor World Cup Lauren Williams opens up on challenging time coping with Tokyo heartbreak Michael O’Neill expecting a tough international window for Northern Ireland Sunderland defender Niall Huggins earns first senior Wales call-up

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