Champions League Awards: Man United’s Danish disaster

Our Champions League awards honour the best – and worst – of the European action from Matchday Four.

Moment of the Week

Erik ten Hag must feel as if everything is going against him right now. The Manchester United manager is a man under pressure, after the Red Devils crashed to a ninth defeat of the season against FC Copenhagen.

Rasmus Hojlund’s brace had put United in control of the game against his former team, but a controversial red card for Marcus Rashford swung the momentum in favour of the hosts. Copenhagen were back level before the break, with the aid of a contentious penalty decision, but United’s ten men responded to retake the lead in the second half.

The drama was far from finished however, with Copenhagen scoring twice late on to seal a famous win. Lukas Lerager equalised, before 17-year-old Roony Bardghji fired home a late winner to send the Copenhagen crowd crazy. United are bottom of Group A and face a difficult task to reach the knockout rounds.

This game has everything! 🤯

At 17 years old, Roony Bardghji puts Copenhagen ahead with this stunning strike! 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/GZZ6ULgyqO

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

Player of the Week

Alvaro Morata has spent much of his career facing criticism, but the Spanish striker is on a hot streak right now.

For perhaps the first time, Morata appears settled, confident, and capable of putting together (consistently) the attributes which have persuaded clubs to spend €189m in cumulative transfer fees on him.

The 31-year-old has now scored 12 goals in 14 games for Atletico Madrid this season, after bagging a brace against a hapless Celtic side on Matchday Four. Morata turned in his first from close range, before lashing a superb second past Joe Hart at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Alvaro Morata just keeps getting better 🌟

His second strike against Celtic marks his fifth goal in his last three Champions League games, three more than he had in his previous 16 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/EIhsQjY7SQ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2023

This might just be the peak for Morata, who has also scored 11 goals in his last 18 caps for Spain and has been named national team captain. He’s up to fifth in La Roja’s all-time leading scorers, and could conceivably go past both David Silva and Fernando Torres in the coming months on current form.

Not bad for a nearly man.

Goal of the Week

The UEFA Champions League is just Erling Haaland’s playground, isn’t it?

The Norwegian extended his extraordinary record on this stage with a brace as Manchester City beat Young Boys to reach the knockout rounds. His second was a special effort, as Haaland hit a thunderous effort past Anthony Racioppi.

“That’s UNSTOPPABLE!” 🚀

Erling Haaland – take a bow! 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/ex0PVMnmqy

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2023

An honourable mention must go to Xavi Simons, who is having some breakout season in the Champions League. Just how was there no place for this man in Paris Saint-Germain’s plans this season?

Xavi Simons with yet another stunner! 🤤

What a STAR 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/30Q7RgacMj

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2023

Stat of the Week

Manchester United’s return to the Champions League has not gone as expected.

Erik ten Hag’s team are bottom of Group A with just two games to go, with the Red Devils having provided a helping hand to each of their European opponents this season. No team had previously conceded a penalty kick in each of their opening four games of a Champions League campaign.

4 – Manchester United are the first team on record (2003-04 onwards) to give away a penalty in each of their opening four matches in a UEFA Champions League campaign. Woops. pic.twitter.com/3UbnFkmD2o

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 8, 2023

Tweet of the Week

Outstanding.

https://t.co/Tk3fna8nBl pic.twitter.com/1jAZOXIo3D

— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) November 8, 2023

Commentators should probably start familiarising themselves with the name Roony Bardghji…

Donkey of the Week

Joe Hart must have a bad back after Celtic’s crushing defeat at Atletico Madrid, as the Scottish champions were hit for six at the Metropolitano Stadium.

The veteran goalkeeper was making his 50th appearance in the Champions League, but this was one to forget for both the former England number one and Celtic.

Hart struggled to stop an onslaught from Atletico in the second half and was at fault with a bizarre piece of goalkeeping for Saul Niguez’s goal. Hart, inexplicably, was stood inside his goal in his attempt to keep the midfielder’s effort out.