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The travelling supporters were vocal in their criticism as the Premier League giants fell to yet another embarrassing loss, this time to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League

Louis van Gaal has admitted fans were right to loudly criticise Manchester United as they suffered another disappointing defeat to Danish minnows FC Midtjylland on Thursday.

The visiting fans could be heard singing "freezing cold on a Thursday night, Man Utd playing f****** s****" following Paul Onuachu's winner as the Premier League giants fell to 2-1 first-leg loss in the Europa League.

Van Gaal pointed to his growing injury list, of which Wayne Rooney was added on Wednesday and could now include David de Gea after the goalkeeper limped off during the warm-up ahead of kick-off.

"They are disappointed like we are disappointed," he told reporters. "I'm very grateful for the fans supporting us. They want to win like we want to win, and we hope that at Old Trafford we will do it.

"It is not easy to cope with 14 injured players. Almost every week I have to make a new line-up.

"The fans can criticise. They can do it. When you see the second half, maybe they are right, but we have to improve and then those fans will support us again. We have seen that in the 18 months I have been here."

Midtjylland 2-1 Manchester United: De Gea injury compounds miserable Europa League defeat

Louis van Gaal's side took the lead through Memphis but have it all to do in the second leg at Old Trafford after goals from Sisto and Onuachu gave the Danish champions victory

Manchester United slipped to a 2-1 Europa League last-32 defeat to FC Midtjylland on a miserable night for Louis van Gaal who also lost goalkeeper David de Gea to injury.

The visitors’ preparations for the game were disrupted in the warm-up when De Gea limped out of proceedings and was replaced by Sergio Romero who made a handful of fine saves, but was unable to preserve a result.

Starting in place of Wayne Rooney, Memphis Depay snatched the lead for United but they were pegged back before half-time when Pione Sisto's deflected shot flew into the bottom corner.

The Premier League side, who were perhaps fortunate not to see young Donald Love sent off, seemed content to sit back in the closing stages and were punished when Onuachu drilled low past Romero from the edge of the box.

United fans had baulked at £71 tickets before the game, but their ire will likely switch back to Van Gaal's inability to get the best out his team after another sorry show.

Showing no ill-effects of his late call-up to the side, Romero reacted superbly to claw Hansen's header off the line following a corner as Midtjylland looked to exploit their early set-pieces given United's makeshift backline, though Chris Smalling wasted a great chance from a Blind corner which he headed across goal and wide.

Midtjylland keeper Mikkel Andersen made a good save from Memphis's clever free-kick but the hosts were handed a glorious chance to take the lead as Vaclav Kadlec raced down the middle of the pitch with United's defence nowhere to be seen, only to side-foot straight at Romero.

Memphis made the home side pay just two minutes later, hooking the ball in on the turn from inside the area after Lingard's cross had bounced through three defenders at the near post.

But United's lead was short-lived, Sisto drove straight at the heart of the defence and his shot from 18 yards out took a deflection off Smalling on its way past Romero.

United began the second half brightly, with Lingard blazing high and wide after a fine run down the left by Anthony Martial before Juan Mata nodded wide after a good cross from Memphis.

Martial was beginning to cause real problems with his movement and another promising run led to Lingard volleying back off the crossbar as he peeled away at the far post, though United escaped a red card minutes later when Love caught Filip Novak on the shin with a raised boot.

Midtjylland threw on striker Onuachu and he forced Romero into a stunning save high to his left with a powerful header from 12 yards within a minute of coming on.

But the towering striker made United pay late on, poking the ball away from Mata before rolling a low shot into the corner beyond Romero's reach and securing a famous win for the Danish side.

•  

   

  Paul Onuacho came off the bench to score the winner as the Wolves come from behind to pull off a shocker at the MCH Arena. Back to Old Trafford these teams will go next week, with the tie very much up in the air. That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Good bye!
• 90'+4'

   

  Sisto can't hit the target, but it doesn't matter as the referee sounds his full-time whistle!
• 90'+3'

   

  Yellow Card Chris Smalling
  Smalling fouls Urena just outside the penalty area, awarding the hosts a free-kick in a very threatening position. Surely that will be enough for them to see out the victory at least, but they may add to their lead!
• 90'+2'

   

  United are cautious in throwing everything forward, aware of the threat the Danish side pose on the counter. They don't want to concede a third, and as a result they aren't showing any signs of scoring themselves.
• 90'

   

  There will be four minutes added on at the end of this match. Is there another twist in the tale?
• 88'

   

  Time is running out on United, who can't even get the ball into the final third, let alone score. This will do no favours to Louis van Gaal, although a 2-1 away defeat certainly isn't the worst scoreline for the Red Devils to take back with them to Old Trafford - but it's still inexcusable.
• 86'

   

  SubstitutionVáclav Kadlec Daniel Royer
  Kadlec sees his debut come to an end just a few minutes from full-time, and he walks off to a rowdy applause from these home fans, who are soaking up every minute of this. Daniel Royer is on in his place.
• 85'

   

  Yellow Card Jesse Lingard
  Frustration sets in at Lingard crashes hard through the back on Onuachu, and that will see the winger into the referee's book.
• 84'

   

  STAT: Manchester United have won four of their previous six matches against Danish opposition (D1, L1).
• 82'

   

  JUST OVER! Sisto is at it again, running rampant in attack. He shifts his way into the area and steps around Blind, before firing a strike just over the bar from a bit of an awkward angle. United need the goal, but Midtjylland look like scoring!
• 80'

   

  United have their work cut out for them now, but the have the feel of a beaten squad. There's a nervousness about them, and their confidence appears to be completely shattered. They need a leader to step up and rally the troops, or this could end horribly for them.
• 78'

   

  SubstitutionJuan Manuel Mata García Andreas Hoelgebaum Pereira
  Mata is withdrawn straight away, replaced by Andreas Pereira. This has been far from the Spaniard's best night.
• 77'

   

  Assist Marcos Danilo Ureña Porras
  It's another substitute, Urena, who is credited with the assist.
• 77'

   

   

   

  Goal Ebere Paul Onuachu
  THEY'VE DONE IT! MIDTJYLLAND HAVE THE LEAD! Onuachu is the hero off the bench for the hosts, keeping the ball atop the area following a pathetic excuse for a tackle from Mata, before placing a sensational strike in at the near post! It was a terrific hit, but the goalkeeper's positioning has to be questioned there.
• 76'

   

  Sisto is so elusive in possession and he's acting as the catalyst for this comeback. This team - this entire stadium - is growing in belief, and there may just be a dramatic conclusion in store.
• 74'

   

  STAT: Midtjylland and Molde FK have had the longest campaigns of any sides in this season's round of 32, both having started out in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.
• 72'

   

  SubstitutionAnder Herrera Agüera Morgan Schneiderlin
  Louis van Gaal makes his first change of the night and it brings with it the introduction of Morgan Schneiderlin, with Ander Herrera giving way. The Frenchman should help provide a bit more of a physical presence in midfield.
• 71'

   

  United manage a counter, following a lengthy spell without a real attack, but it doesn't amount to anything despite out-numbering the hosts. Lingard's effort is blocked and Novak bundles clear.
• 69'

   

  WIDE! Herrera the guilty player this time, making a crucial mistake at the back as he gives the ball away almost as the last defender. He has to be smarter there, as it allows the hosts to break, but he's let off the hook in the end as Sisto curls an effort just wide of the top corner.
• 67'

   

  SubstitutionRilwan Hassan Marcos Danilo Ureña Porras
  Midtjylland make their second change of the night as Marcos Urena comes on to likely play just in behind the striker, with Hassan giving way.
• 66'

   

  The hosts are growing in confidence as United struggle to reclaim the lead. With every passing minute, belief continues to grow in this Midtjylland side, and they are proving every bit capable of pulling off the upset.
• 64'

   

  STAT: Manchester United won their first Europa League match over Ajax in February 2012, but have lost all three since then (once against Ajax and two defeats to Athletic Bilbao).
• 62'

   

  WORLD CLASS FROM SERGIO ROMERO! Oh my word that is a special save! Onuachu can't believe his luck! With his first touch of the game, the striker gets on the end of a cross and sends a header back towards the corner it came from, and it has goal written all over it when it left his head. Somehow Romero is able to halt his momentum, dive back to his left and get a strong hand to it to keep it out!
• 60'

   

  SubstitutionMartin Pusic Ebere Paul Onuachu
  The hosts make the first change of the evening as striker Paul Onuachu comes on to replace Martin Pusic, who has been quiet tonight with service lacking. The Nigerian should provide more of a target in the centre.
• 60'

   

  Yellow Card Donald Love
  That's a dangerous one! A heavy touch takes the ball away from Love, and he sticks a leg out and catches the shin of Novak. That could have ended much worse for the defender, who is down and in need of attention. The United full-back does not escape without a booking.
• 58'

   

  This is a good spell from United, who continue to inch closer to a second. Herrera has become very involved in attack, while Lingard and Memphis are finding space on the flanks. The final ball is starting to become a regularity, but finishing has become the issue. Mata needs to get himself more involved.
• 56'

   

  OFF THE BAR! Herrera has distributed the ball well thus far, and he's at it again, sending a lovely cross towards the far post for Lingard who sends a well-hit volley off the frame of the goal! Surely there's a goal on the horizon - but which team will get it?
• 54'

   

  CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS! A good run from Sisto just lacks the required finish as his effort is stopped comfortably by Romero, while back the other way United come. Memphis places a cross onto the head of Mata, but the Spaniard fails to hit the target with his effort!
• 52'

   

  Novak has had a tough go at it defensively this evening, up against the pace of Lingard, but he sure does love to venture forward. He's covered a ton of ground and continues to make himself a nuisance down the left flank, giving the youngster Love plenty to be wary of.
• 50'

   

  STAT: Midtjylland have played English opposition twice before in Europe, both in qualifiers. They knocked out Southampton to make the competition proper this season, but were dumped out of UEFA Cup qualifying by Man City in 2008/09.
• 48'

   

  Wasted by Lingard! Excellent and determined running from Martial inside the area, and he keeps going following a stray challenge from Kian. Had he gone down, it would have forced the referee's hand, but instead he keeps moving and tees up Lingard atop the area. The winger strikes first-time but sends his effort wide. He has to be hitting the target from there.
• 46'

   

  Back underway in Herning, Denmark!
•  

   

  Memphis opened the scoring late on, but it wouldn't take the hosts long to reply as a lovely individual effort from Sisto restored parity shortly after, and that is how things stand after an entertaining first half at MCH Arena. The away goal should serve United well, but there's still plenty of work for them to do in this tie.
• 45'

   

  HALF-TIME: MIDTJYLLAND 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED.
• 44'

   

   

   

  Goal Pione Sisto
  THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG! MIDTJYLLAND ARE LEVEL! A dreadful piece of play from Carrick sees his pass intercepted by Sisto in the United end. He drives forward and takes on the defence, cutting onto his right and placing a tremendous finish in at the near post from just outside the area! The scouts in attendance will enjoy that!
• 41'

   

  STAT: This is the third Europa League season in a row a Danish team has made the last 32 (Esbjerg in 2013/14, Aalborg in 2014/15) but both fell at this hurdle.
• 39'

   

  You can't say it isn't a deserved goal for United, but considering the wild passage of play moments earlier, they will be counting their blessings. Van Gaal will feel slightly relieved on his touchline, but it could have been a very different vibe had Kadlec taken the chance like he should have.
• 37'

   

  Assist Jesse Lingard
  Good delivery from Lingard to send that ball right into the danger area, just atop the six-yard box.
• 37'

   

   

   

  Goal Memphis Depay
  SECONDS AFTER NEARLY CONCEDING, UNITED TAKE THE LEAD! Less than 60 seconds has past following Kadlec's miss! Lingard sends a ball in from the right which Memphis acrobatically contorts his body to control, despite being on the ground, and sends a shot bouncing past Andersen from in close!
• 36'

   

  DREADFUL MISS! That is quite incredible! Kadlec gets behind the defence from the halfway line, sprinting through on goal in all sorts of space! He has Hassan to his right, but tries to go at it himself instead of setting up his team-mate for what would have been a sure goal, and he's denied by Romero!
• 35'

   

  WASTED OPPORTUNITY! Blind has been getting forward at every opportunity, and the left-back produces a stellar cross to pick out Martial at the far post. The striker must have lost sight of the ball for a second, however, as his attempt to head it towards goal is quite poor in the end.
• 33'

   

  STAT: The Red Devils three previous trips to Denmark have all been in the Champions League. They beat Brondby 6-2 on their way to lifting the European Cup in 1998/99, lost 1-0 to FC Copenhagen in 2006/07 and defeated Aalborg in 3-0 in their most recent visit.
• 31'

   

  United are lacking the end product. Memphis and Lingard have found themselves in prominent wide areas in attack, time and time again, but they haven't been able to produce the sort of cross needed to make the hosts pay. The best chances for both sides thus far have come through set-pieces.
• 29'

   

  When the hosts break on the counter, they do leave themselves quite exposed, however. They'll win the ball in midfield and every red shirt seemingly wants to get forward for what would be a historic goal for the club, but as a result they leave large gaps in midfield that United should be doing better to exploit.
• 27'

   

  Midtjylland are making things very difficult on United by packing the midfield third and taking away space for them to attack. The visitors have struggled to build through the centre, finding most of their space out wide.
• 25'

   

  NO PENALTY GIVEN! Good work from Martial to dribble his way into the area from the left flank. Kian comes across to challenge, and realising his last touch was a bit heavy, the Frenchman goes to ground in search of a penalty - but the referee has a good look before awarding a goal-kick.
• 23'

   

  STAT: The Danes conceded 12 times in the group stage, more than any other side to make the knockout round (not including Champions League qualifiers).
• 21'

   

  SHOCKING MISS! Mata's corner is met by an unmarked Smalling at the far post, following his delayed run into the area, but somehow the defender doesn't head for goal! Instead he sends a thumping effort back across goal, with no one waiting at the other end to meet it. He has to be scoring from there!
• 20'

   

  Excellent play from Martial! The striker twists and turns his way inside the area, navigating his way into space for a shot, which Bodurov manages to block behind for yet another corner.
• 19'

   

  Memphis turns smartly beyond his marker, Kian, and gets into the area in a real threatening position. He hesitates, however, and that allows the defender to recover and block the ensuing cross behind for a corner - which results in nothing for the visiting side.
• 17'

   

  Pusic does well to win the ball high up the pitch and lay off for Sisto, who appears to have the beating of Smalling. Instead of sending in a cross, he tries to cut back again onto his left, and this time the United defender allows him no way past before winning back possession.
• 15'

   

  The home side appear every bit up for the occasion. They're certainly not timid in the face of their opposition, and seem to be relishing this opportunity more than anything else. Nerves could have been expected - even allowed - but that hasn't been the case at all.
• 13'

   

  STAT: Manchester United have appeared in the Europa League once before, seeing off Ajax in 2011/12 before falling to Athletic Bilbao in the Last 16.
• 11'

   

  ROMERO CALLED INTO ACTION! There's the threat this Midtjylland pose from set-pieces! A corner is whipped in and met by Kian, who sends a strong, downwards header at goal - but Romero is able to dive to his left and keep it off the line! Fine save, that.
• 9'

   

  TWO GOOD CHANCES! A quick counter sees Lingard play Memphis through, but the weight of the pass takes the Dutchman wide and allows Kian to block his shot behind for a corner. The subsequent delivery is played in low, towards the near post by Blind, and is met by Mata's first-time shot, which Andersen is able to get a hand to!
• 7'

   

  OUCH! Herrera is caught in the face by Sisto, and the midfielder is cut open. There's blood coming from his lip, and as a result he'll have to go off to get patched up - we'll see if the referee lets him come back on in appropriate time!
• 5'

   

  United continue to play with 10 men as Smalling had to go off momentarily for an issue with his boot. For some reason, however, the Portuguese official has neglected to allow Smalling back on the pitch! The United players are up in arm, keeping possession and gesturing at the referee, who is having none of it. Finally they put the ball out of play and he's allowed back on, concluding what was the strangest of scenes created by this referee.
• 3'

   

  Lively start from the hosts who have United pinned deep in their end. Sisto, who has eyes on him from all across Europe, shows his skill on the ball, making strides down the left and whipping a teasing cross into the area. Midtjylland love sending crosses into the box and pose a real threat from set pieces - so the likes of Smalling, McNair and Romero will have to be alert.
• 1'

   

  Midtjylland, sporting an entirely red kit, get us underway, with Manchester United in their black away strip.
•  

   

  The hosts make three changes of their own from their last competitive match, which just so happened to be their final Europa League group stage encounter with Club Brugge. Centre-half Erik Sviatchenko, who departed during the January transfer window to Celtic, is replaced by Nikolay Bodurov. Rilwan Hassan starts in place of the suspended Jakob Poulsen, while Vaclav Kadlec makes his first start for the club having arrived during the winter transfer window from Eintracht Frankfurt.
•  

   

  As if Louis van Gaal didn't have enough injuries to deal with! It has been confirmed now that De Gea has been declared unfit to play, and will be replaced in goal by Sergio Romero! This comes just a couple days after it was announced skipper Wayne Rooney would miss at least a month with a knee injury, while Matteo Darmian is also unavailable after dislocating his shoulder against Sunderland. This paves the way for right-back Donald Love to make his first Manchester United start, after appearing as a substitute at the Stadium of Light. Memphis Depay comes into attack to replace Rooney, joining Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial. The other two changes see Paddy McNair and Ander Herrera replace Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Morgan Schneiderlin.
•  

   

  BREAKING: David de Gea has twisted his ankle in warm-ups, limping off the pitch and down the tunnel. The Spaniard's participation is not yet in doubt, however. He will be looked at by trainers but as of right now, at least, his place in the starting line-up has not been revoked.
•  

   

  SUBS: Duelund, Onuachu, Royer, Banggaard, Nielsen, Dahlin, Urena.
•  

   

  MIDTJYLLAND (4-5-1): Andersen; Romer, Kian, Bodurov, Novak; Kadlec, Sparv, Olsson, Hassan, Sisto; Pusic.
•  

   

  SUBS: Romero, Poole, Riley, Pereira, Schneiderlin, Weir, Keane.
•  

   

  MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Love, Smalling, McNair, Blind; Herrera, Carrick; Lingard, Mata, Memphis; Martial.
•  

   

  CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
•  

   

  Midtjylland will be nothing if not thrilled for what is their highest-profile fixture in club history, playing host to 20-time English champions Manchester United. While they have had their sights set on this match for some time, the defending champions could be plagued by the long layoff. This will mark the club’s first competitive fixture since their final group stage match on December 10, with the Danish league on their offseason.
•  

   

  Hello and welcome to live coverage from Manchester United’s trip to the MCH Arena in Denmark for the first leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie against Midtjylland! The Red Devils are making just their second appearance in the competition, but they might want to get comfortable. With a top four finish in the Premier League shaping up to be a pipe dream, they’re inching ever so close to booking their spot in the group stage of the Europa League for next year. Although focusing their efforts on the competition and winning for a first time in club history could present the best route to the Champions League next season for Louis van Gaal’s side.