Manchester United blow 0-2 lead against FC Copenhagen, they have FALLEN APART

Manchester United have capitulated in a crazy end to the first half against Copenhagen in the Champions League.

Erik ten Hag's side looked like they were in cruise control at the Parken Stadium and were 2-0 up courtesy of a brace from hometown boy Rasmus Hojlund against his former employers.

The game looked dead and buried but United's task was made a little harder when Marcus Rashford was controversially sent off for a challenge on Elias Jelert.

HERE IS THE MARCUS RASHFORD RED CARD

THOUGHTS??

pic.twitter.com/Klm4JVVWOQ

— Samii (@samiichels) November 8, 2023

The referee went to VAR to watch the incident and gave Rashford the second red card of his United career in the 42nd minute.

The England international was in disbelief by the decision, while it didn't take too much to see what Ten Hag thought about the call.

And then it all went to pot for United, who conceded a goal almost immediately after when former Southampton man Mohamed Elyounoussi reduced the deficit with a smart finish.

A nightmare for United 🫣

Mohamed Elyounoussi brings Copenhagen back into the game three minutes after Rashford's red 😬#UCL pic.twitter.com/uXFqqXPFni

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 8, 2023

It got even worse for the Red Devils as moments later, Harry Maguire was penalised for handling the bar in the area.

Andre Onana was targeting a second penalty save against Copenhagen following his heroics in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford but this time Diego Goncalves stepped up and sent him the wrong way to level matters.

There were 13 minutes of added time and Copenhagen will have been hoping it wouldn't end given the way they ended the half.

Rashford missed the last-gasp win over Fulham with illness but had courted controversy for a birthday night out following the dismal 3-0 defeat to rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.

His suspension is a huge blow for United as he will now miss a crucial trip to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray in their penultimate group stage fixture on 29 November.

United's final group stage game is at home to Bayern Munich on 12 December.