LAND OF COPEN GLORY

Fernandes hits the spot for Ole as United leave it late to make the semis

BRUNO FERNANDES kept his cool from the penalty spot to send Manchester United into the semi-finals on a nervy night in Cologne.

Fernandes has not missed a spot-kick in four-and-a-half years and kept that record intact in the 95th minute, to keep United on course for a first trophy under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United were well short of their best here in the oppressive heat of Cologne, but they ultimately made their superiority count as their spirited opponents tired in extra time. Twice inside the first two minutes of the extra period, United could have taken the lead, but on both occasions Copenhagen keeper Karl-johan Johnsson denied Anthony Martial.

But Martial made it third time lucky in the 94th minute, his mind and body too quick for Andreas Bjelland, who brought him down, ref Clement Turpin pointing immediately to the spot.

It was United’s 21st penalty of the season and Fernandes stepped up to take it, sweeping it beyond the reach of Johnsson to put United ahead with his 11th goal since his debut in February.

The introduction of Juan Mata (right) for Mason Greenwood for extra time was a masterstroke from Solskjaer, the

Spanish midfielder’s guile and fresh legs giving United muchneeded fresh impetus.

United laid siege to the Copenhagen goal in extra time, but the heroics of Johnsson, who made a series of fine saves throughout normal and extra time, kept the scoreline down. Having already secured a Champions League place by finishing third in the Premier League, the motivation here was winning a first trophy under Solskjaer.

But United’s players, despite an improved second-half display, had struggled to break down their Danish opponents, who fulfilled their remit of defending resolutely then hitting on the counter-attack.

Everything United threw at them, Copenhagen managed to

Anthony Martial is tripped for the penalty and Fernandes fires home