United led 2-0 inside half an hour in the Danish capital
after Rasmus Hojlund struck twice against his former club.
But a red card for Marcus Rashford after a VAR review on 42
minutes changed the course of the game.
Copenhagen made the most of 13 added minutes at the end of
the first half to level through Mohamed Elyounoussi and a Diogo Goncalves
penalty.
Bruno Fernandes restored United’s lead from the penalty
spot, but the Danish champions struck twice in the final 10 minutes through
Lukas Lerager and 17-year-old Roony Bardghji to secure their first Champions
League win since 2016.
A third defeat in four games leaves United bottom of Group
A.
But Ten Hag was unhappy at the award of both Copenhagen’s
first two goals and Rashford’s dismissal.
The former Ajax boss believed Elyounoussi’s strike should
have been ruled out for offside and that the decision to penalise Harry Maguire
for handball inside the area was harsh.
“We played very good until the red card. The red card
changed everything. Then we concede two goals that should never count,” said
Ten Hag.
“Not only tonight. In this moment, we are in a season where
we have to deal with many decisions against us.
“That’s how it is. I’m sure it will turn. A season is long
and at one point it will turn in our favour.”
A ninth defeat in 17 games this season ramps up the pressure
on Ten Hag’s position.
However, the Dutchman believes there are positives to take
from his side’s performance before Rashford’s harsh dismissal.
There appeared to be no intent from the England
international when his studs caught Elias Jelert on the ankle as he tried to
protect the ball.
United had produced arguably their best first 30 minutes of
the season so far as two predatory finishes from Hojlund took his tally to five
Champions League goals in four games.
“I have seen a lot of positives from this game but at the
end we lose possibly some focus,” added Ten Hag.
“Also, with 10 (men) we were still controlling the game.
“(The players are) very disappointed of course. We fought so
hard, played so good and still we don’t have one point.”
United can still reach the last 16 as they sit one point
behind Galatasaray and Copenhagen in the battle to join Bayern Munich in the
knockout stages.
Ten Hag’s men travel to Galatasaray in three weeks before
hosting Bayern at Old Trafford on December 12.
AFP