Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd

Match Review
FC Copenhagen 1 v 0 Manchester United, Parken Stadion, Denmark, 19.45, Wednesday 1st November.
Goals: FC Copenhagen - Allback (73). Manchester United: none.
Attendance: 40,000.

United crashed and burned in freezing Copenhagen, paying the price as the home side registered their biggest ever victory in the club's 14 year history. Former Aston Villa star Allback capitalised on hesitance in United's defence to tap home the winner from three yards, leaving United with a potential banana skin with results needed in difficult fixtures against Celtic (A) and Benfica (H). It is a problem that the Red's manager could have avoided.

With a weakened side fielded and six changes from the team that dismantled a fine Bolton side last Saturday, United looked awkward. As impressive as United's performance against Bolton was, this was equally unimpressive. With several injury victims returning to the line-up and players well short of match fitness struggling to come to terms in freezing surroundings United bumbled.

As the game settled down FC Copenhagen had their first chance with a shot from Silberbauer forcing EVDS to save at his post. United strolled through the half with little of the urgency or zap of the their previous match.

After being hacked down by Hangeland, Rooney had a shot which went wide and a header just over the bar as United continued to struggle.

As the second half started, Vidic who was not injured, was mysteriously replaced by Rio who came on to partner Silvestre at the back. United played better in second half, creating a clutch of chances that their possession warranted. JOS missed a glorious effort, side- footing the ball wide from yards out. OGS, who had a poor match linking with Rooney, was fed by Ronaldo only for his effort to be saved. Rooney was next to miss a decent chance after a Heinze's cross was headed harmlessly wide.

Copenhagen's only attack then resulted in the eventual winner. A corner created trouble in United's penalty area, Hutchinson knocked down a header which Heinze should have cleared and Allback tapped the ball past the despairing United defenders.

SAF brought Scholes and Evra into the game and this switch almost paid dividends as the Ginger Ninja tried to chip Christiansen only for the 'keeper to block the effort and keep his team in the lead. As the game drew to a close United failed to find any spark with Rooney and Ronaldo the only lights in a poor United performance.

United find the net later only for Ronaldo's effort to be ruled out as offside. OGS finished the game on the sidelines, hobbling off with a torn hamstring and will be out for several weeks.

So congratulations to FC Copenhagen who then hung on to claim a famous victory.

Thanks But No Thanks For The Traveling Reds

As the final whistle blew the travelling United fans were ignored as most of United's millionaire players disgracefully walked down the tunnel without any sort of thanks to the freezing Red Army. We pay large amounts of money week in, week to fund their massive wages. Thanks lads, you know who you are and you are twats.

Outside the ground United had members of their own security helping out and with long waits to enter the turnstiles some traveling Reds were told to get out of the pubs early by the cheeky bastards. Bang out of order if you ask me!

Thank you to Billy Brayshaw of Manchester for organising our meeting at the ground to collect my ticket and to Dave Tweddle (Penrith) for the ticket itself.

A big up goes to Brendan at Bernard tours for his efforts in finding an excellent hotel and organising sightseeing in Copenhagen and Berlin. Abbott, Toddy, Mike "top farter" Hetherington, Niffy, Calv, Tinker, Paul "Come fly with me, come fly come fly away" McCarron. Oh and yes, how can I forget the Jagermeister!

Rant Ratings
van der Sar (6); Brown (5), Vidic (6), Silvestre (3), Heinze (4); Fletcher (5), O'Shea (4), Carrick (4), Ronaldo (6); Solskjaer (4), Rooney (7).
Subs Used: Ferdinand (5) for Vidic (46 mins), Scholes (6) for Fletcher (71), Evra (6) for Heinze (80).
Subs not used: Kusczak, Smith, Richardson, D.Jones.

United's Man of the Match
Wayne Rooney just over shadowed Ronaldo on a dismal night, brought about by missed chances and the manager fielding and under-strength side.

Rants Reaction
In his wisdom SAF played Ronaldo on the left, Darren Fletcher on the right with Wes Brown at fullback. Not a problem considering United's current run of form but the master cock-up was playing Gabby, JOS amd EIH when Rio, Scholes and Evra were fit and in excellent form. It was a poor selection and United's threadbare squad has players that are simply not good enough to wear the Red shirt. RANT agrees that this United team had enough decent chances to win the match but the squad is a few bricks missing off a finished wall. So why oh why Alex do you make it harder - all the players you rested came on in the end anyway.

Was Rant's Prediction Right?
No we said 2-0 to United. Rant 3 v 12 Wrong Predictions.

Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Saturday 4th November 2006 against Portsmouth in the Premiership at Old Trafford with a 15.00 kick off.