Harry Maguire (left) celebrates with Andre Onana (inexperienced) after the goalkeeper saved a penalty through the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and F.C. Copenhagen at Old Trafford on October 24, 2023 in Manchester, England.
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An evening of remembrance for Bobby Charlton become an evening of redemption for Harry Maguire and Andre Onana.
Two of Manchester United’s most maligned gamers this season got here to the rescue Tuesday with huge second-half moments in a 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen that ignited the English staff’s qualification hopes within the Champions League.
There have been boos inside Old Trafford at halftime of the primary match on the stadium because the loss of life of Charlton on Saturday, with United’s gamers unable to make use of feelings stirred by the reminiscence of the membership nice to make any headway towards the group outsiders from Denmark.
The jeers turned to cheers for Maguire when the oft-maligned middle again headed dwelling a cross from substitute Christian Eriksen within the 72nd minute.
Onana, one other participant below stress within the early stage of this season, preserved the win with a penalty save off the final kick of the sport, clawing away the shot of Jordan Larsson — the son of former United striker Henrik Larsson — that was taken within the seventh minute of stoppage time.
“It was meant to be,” Maguire mentioned. “We were meant to win the game — a magnificent save and a win dedicated to Sir Bobby and his family.”
After back-to-back losses to open Group A, this was an enormous victory for Erik ten Hag’s staff forward of the return match towards Copenhagen in two weeks.
They are doubtlessly big moments, too, for Maguire and Onana.
Maguire’s United profession appeared over when he was stripped of the captaincy within the offseason and appeared near a transfer to West Ham.
Maguire stayed, has continued to get recreation time with the England nationwide staff, and now appears again in Ten Hag’s good books, having began United’s final three video games in all competitions.
It was his first aim since February 2022 and he appeared emotional after planting his downward header into the online on the far submit.
“I have been given an opportunity,” Maguire said, “and I want to help the team and get the club back to where it should be.”
As for Onana, he arrived below stress to vary United’s fashion of play via his distribution from the again. The Cameroon goalkeeper has made various high-profile errors, although, main many to wonder if United was proper to dispense of long-time keeper David de Gea.
This was arguably Onana’s finest recreation for United, marked not simply by the penalty save after Scott McTominay’s foul on Mohamed Elyounoussi however by his fantastic flying cease to maintain out Lukas Lerager’s highly effective drive within the fiftieth minute.
The night started and ended with chants of “There’s only one Bobby Charlton” swirling round Old Trafford as followers paid their respects to considered one of England’s World Cup winners from 1966 who’s extensively thought of United’s best participant.
There have been pre-match tributes to Charlton, together with Ten Hag laying a wreath within the middle circle earlier than an impeccably noticed minute’s silence.
“Losing someone like Sir Bobby, it affects the club and the dressing room,” Maguire. “But really pleased we could get the win tonight.”
