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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Man Utd 3-0 FC Copenhagen | Man Utd 3-0 FC Copenhagen |
| (1 day later) | |
| Manchester United moved to the brink of qualification for the Champions League knock-out phase with a convincing win against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford. | Manchester United moved to the brink of qualification for the Champions League knock-out phase with a convincing win against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford. |
| Paul Scholes fired United ahead from 25 yards six minutes before the interval. | Paul Scholes fired United ahead from 25 yards six minutes before the interval. |
| John O'Shea bundled home seconds after half-time to double United's advantage as Sir Alex Ferguson's side dominated. | |
| FC Copenhagen keeper Jesper Christiansen fumbled substitute Kieran Richardson's long-range shot for the third eight minutes from the end. | FC Copenhagen keeper Jesper Christiansen fumbled substitute Kieran Richardson's long-range shot for the third eight minutes from the end. |
| News conference: Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson | News conference: Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson |
| United had to make changes just minutes before kick-off when Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs - who had both been named in the starting line-up - were withdrawn. | United had to make changes just minutes before kick-off when Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs - who had both been named in the starting line-up - were withdrawn. |
| Ferdinand was suffering from a stiff neck, while Giggs was unwell and moved down to the substitutes' bench. | Ferdinand was suffering from a stiff neck, while Giggs was unwell and moved down to the substitutes' bench. |
| Wes Brown was drafted in - with Wayne Rooney taking the captain's armband. | Wes Brown was drafted in - with Wayne Rooney taking the captain's armband. |
| Louis Saha had an opportunity to put United ahead within the first minute, but Copenhagen keeper Christiansen set the tone for a performance - that was excellent until his late error - with a brave block. | |
| Have Your Say on 606: Give your thoughts on the match | Have Your Say on 606: Give your thoughts on the match |
| United were in rampant mood and Rooney almost ended his recent barren sequence in front of goal when he just failed to apply enough of a touch from six yards out to Ronaldo's driven cross. | United were in rampant mood and Rooney almost ended his recent barren sequence in front of goal when he just failed to apply enough of a touch from six yards out to Ronaldo's driven cross. |
| Copenhagen had adopted a positive approach and former Aston Villa striker Marcus Allback brought a smart save from Edwin van der Sar with a snapshot on the turn. | Copenhagen had adopted a positive approach and former Aston Villa striker Marcus Allback brought a smart save from Edwin van der Sar with a snapshot on the turn. |
| Christiansen again denied Saha and Michael Carrick before United deservedly took the lead six minutes before half-time. | |
| Saha touched Patrice Evra's pass into the path of Scholes 25 yards out and he drilled a trademark finish past Christiansen. | Saha touched Patrice Evra's pass into the path of Scholes 25 yards out and he drilled a trademark finish past Christiansen. |
| And the points looked to be sealed seconds after the re-start when O'Shea fortuitously touched home Ronaldo's corner. | And the points looked to be sealed seconds after the re-start when O'Shea fortuitously touched home Ronaldo's corner. |
| Copenhagen's attitude had been commendable, and Van der Sar was forced into another fine save from Atiba Hutchison's angled shot. | Copenhagen's attitude had been commendable, and Van der Sar was forced into another fine save from Atiba Hutchison's angled shot. |
| Alan Smith came on as a subsitute as he continues his recovery from a broken leg, and he should have lifted his confidence with a goal 15 minutes from time, only to miss an open goal from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's cross. | Alan Smith came on as a subsitute as he continues his recovery from a broken leg, and he should have lifted his confidence with a goal 15 minutes from time, only to miss an open goal from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's cross. |
| But United crowned an impressive performance with a third goal eight minutes from time, when Christiansen marred an excellent display by allowing Richardson's tame shot to slide in. | But United crowned an impressive performance with a third goal eight minutes from time, when Christiansen marred an excellent display by allowing Richardson's tame shot to slide in. |