Why Copenhagen games will be special for one Red

The Scandinavian club, who have won a joint-record 15 top-flight titles since being formed through a merger in 1992, are not unfamiliar foes for United.

We played FCK, as the Danish giants are often referred to in their homeland, twice in the 2006/07 group stage, prevailing 3-0 at Old Trafford through goals from Paul Scholes, John O'Shea and Kieran Richardson, before succumbing to a shock 1-0 defeat at Parken Stadium a fortnight later.

We also faced Copenhagen in the 2019/20 Europa League quarter-final, a one-legged affair played on neutral ground in Cologne, Germany due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Bruno Fernandes penalty in extra-time settled that tie, although the Danes have had almost a complete squad overhaul since then, with only defender Nicolai Boilesen and midfielder Rasmus Falk remaining from the 21-man squad they named back in August 2020.

United's new no.11, Rasmus Hojlund, was on the capital club's books at the time, but he didn't make his Copenhagen bow until October of that year.

Hojlund played 32 times for FCK, scoring five times, before leaving for Sturm Graz in January 2022, but his family name is still represented at Parken Stadium.

That's because twin brothers Emil and Oscar are currently learning the ropes at the Danish champions.

The pair, born in January 2005, have both made their first league appearances for the club this season and will obviously be eager for a reunion with their older and more high-profile sibling when the sides meet in the autumn.

We host Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday 24 October, before making the trip to Denmark a couple of weeks later, on Wednesday 8 November.

There is another United link in Jacob Neestrup's squad, as forward Jordan Larsson is the son of former Reds loanee, Henrik.

Larsson junior signed on a permanent deal in the summer, after scoring six times while on loan from Schalke last season.

He's made seven appearances for Sweden, whom his famous father represented at six international tournaments between 1994 and 2008.

The Superliga holders, who have made a promising start in their bid to win a third straight crown, also have two names which may be familiar to Premier League viewers in their squad.

Winger Mohamed Elyounoussi joined from relegated Southampton over the summer, while former Cardiff City forward Andreas Cornelius is an option to lead the line.