Paul Scholes stands firm: Man Utd must stick with Erik ten Hag

United's Champions League hopes were dented after being beaten 4-3 in a chaotic clash against Copenhagen which saw them lose two leads after Marcus Rashford was sent off in the first half in Denmark.

Defeat sees Ten Hag's side rock bottom of Group A with three losses in the competition so far, but Scholes believes United cannot afford to sack the manager.

TNT Sports pundit Scholes said during the post-match reaction: "I still don't think that there's that much pressure on him. I think he's had a good year and he's bought a bit of time in that respect.

"He's had bad injuries but as you say, nine defeats in 17 games is not good enough.

"I know managers have been sacked in that second or third year. I don't think we can afford to do it anymore, we've got to let this fella get on with it.

"I think he's been good up until this point and I go on to this season, I know it's not been that great but he's got a bit unlucky tonight.

"They're going to have to play better teams than Copenhagen but I thought there was a little bit of fight there tonight, just lacking still that bit of leadership. Maybe if a Casemiro was in there things might be different."

Rasmus Hojlund's brace gave United the lead before Rashford was sent off and Copenhagen levelled through Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves' penalty.

Bruno Fernandes' penalty gave 10-man United the lead again, but the visitors equalised through Lukas Lerager before substitute Roony Bardghji gave them an incredible victory.

Scholes added: "It's alright conceding a goal it happens. Away in Europe, it's not easy to play away in Europe, it's difficult at any type of ground, but there has to come a point where you say ˜come on, we just stay here'. Especially with 10 men.

"It's that collapsing that's really hurting them at the minute. Once you concede one it seems like the second one is coming and they've got to stop that, you can't win games if that's going to happen every week."

READ MORE: Man Utd throw away lead twice after Rashford red in damaging Copenhagen defeat