Copenhagen manager Jacob Neestrup has taken a swipe at Manchester United fans over the atmosphere at Old Trafford when the two clubs met a fortnight ago.
Neestrup is preparing his side for the return Champions League group stage fixture, after his side were an Andre Onana penalty save away from leaving Old Trafford with a point.
It was another listless display from Erik ten Hag's side, as they needed a 72nd-minute Harry Maguire header to a secure a laboured 1-0 win, which ended as soon as Onana saved Jordan Larsson's spot kick deep into stoppage time.
The home side's performance wasn't exactly one to get fans off their seats, and Neestrup mentioned the subdued atmosphere in his pre-match press conference ahead of the return, while warning his opponents about what awaits them in their Parken Stadium on Wednesday.
"You can’t compare Old Trafford with Parken because the intensity is times 100 in terms of what we played in two weeks ago"
Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup on the atmosphere awaiting #MUFC at Parken on Wednesday night 📢🏟️🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/rutg9Qh0rq— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) November 7, 2023
Copenhagen manager takes swipe at Man United fans
"With all the respect, I felt, when I stepped into Old Trafford, the historical atmosphere, but you can't compare Old Trafford with Parken," he said.
"Because the intensity is times 100, compared to what we played in two weeks ago. This is our standard, for me, way above the Premier League to be honest."
Copenhagen regularly attract crowds of 30,000+, even in the domestic Danish Superliga, and their supporters have been known to create quite a lot of noise.
As they sit just two points behind an out-of-form Man United, the home side know that their fans could play a big part in keeping their hopes of Champions League progress alive, while some of the Red Devils players have been wilting in big-game atmospheres in recent times.
For their part though, United's travelling fans have a reputation for being among the noisiest in the Premier League, even if the Old Trafford atmosphere can resemble a library on occasion.
Given the form the team has shown in recent times, they may need all the help they can get in the Danish capital.
