FC Copenhagen and Manchester United gauge their success on the international front using different measures. Despite the stark differences between their finances and achievements, history has demonstrated that anything can happen when these two teams meet.
The Red Devils undoubtedly stand as the larger club, their European triumphs serving as testament to their stature. Manchester United boast three UEFA Champions League titles, with two of them earned under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson. Additionally, they clinched their inaugural Europa League title under the guidance of Jose Mourinho in 2017, triumphing over Ajax in the final.
FC Copenhagen holds the distinction of being the most decorated club in Danish football and regularly qualifies for European competitions. Nevertheless, their European accomplishments are notably less grandiose than those of Manchester United.
FC Copenhagen have never won a European trophy, with only a single instance in their history seeing them progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League. This milestone occurred during the 2010/11 season when the Danish club finished second in their group, setting up a round of 16 encounter with Chelsea FC. Despite securing a memorable 1-1 draw against eventual champions FC Barcelona in the group stage, FC Copenhagen were ultimately defeated 2-0 on aggregate by big-spending Chelsea.
FC Copenhagen vs Manchester United Head to Head
These two teams have been drawn together in the UEFA Champions League group stage on two occasions: in 2006/07 and most recently in 2023/24. In their inaugural encounter, Manchester United comfortably dispatched FC Copenhagen, securing a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in October 2006, courtesy of goals from Paul Scholes, John O’Shea, and Kieran Richardson.
Nonetheless, FC Copenhagen fans cherish a historic night for the club just one month later. Despite Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo lining up at the Parken Stadium, Copenhagen orchestrated a memorable 1-0 victory inspired by Marcus Allback.
Their most recent meeting prior to the 2023/24 Champions League clashes transpired during the COVID-19-affected 2019/20 season. FC Copenhagen and Man United faced off in a one-legged Europa League quarter-final fixture. The Red Devils needed extra time to progress past Copenhagen, with Bruno Fernandes notching the solitary goal from the penalty spot.
FC Copenhagen vs Manchester United Connections
Notably, there is only one player who has bridged the worlds of FC Copenhagen and Manchester United. In 2020, the Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund emerged as an exciting young talent in the Copenhagen first team at the tender age of 17, tallying an impressive 5 goals in 11 European matches.
Subsequently, the youngster secured transfers to Austrian club Sturm Graz and the Italian outfit Atalanta. In the summer of 2023, at a mere 20 years old, Hojlund completed a £64m move to Manchester United.
