Nigeria Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu. Photo by IMAGO
Former FC Midtjylland captain Tim Sparv has recalled the jubilant scenes in the dressing room after their stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League, with Paul Onuachu leading the celebrations, Soccernet.ng reports.
Speaking to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, Sparv reflected on one of the most memorable nights in the club’s history, when Midtjylland stunned the Premier League giants in the first leg of their last-32 tie in February 2016.
The Danish side had gone behind to a 37th-minute goal from Memphis Depay, but they hit back through Pione Sisto before Onuachu fired home the winner to secure a famous victory.
It was a moment of sheer joy for Midtjylland’s players, and Sparv admitted that the atmosphere in the dressing room afterward was unforgettable.
“I especially remember the atmosphere in the locker room after the United game,” Sparv said.
“There was always a good atmosphere, it was Paul Onuachu and Pione Sisto who led the dance, and we were just a lot of players who had a good time together. We were ambitious and professional.”
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The result was a high point for Midtjylland, a club only founded in 1999 — the same year Manchester United won their famous Treble.
However, their dream of an upset over two legs was short-lived as United responded with a dominant 5-1 victory at Old Trafford a week later, despite another early goal from Sisto.
For Sparv, the tie held extra significance.
The former Finland international grew up as a Manchester United fan, and he recalled the moment he found out Midtjylland had drawn them in the Europa League.
“I’m a big United fan, and I remember being in the Seychelles with my ex-girlfriend, on the beach, having a good time,” he said.
“I might have had some mojitos or something like that. And then my phone just started ringing with a bunch of messages saying that we had drawn Manchester United.
“I was absolutely euphoric about meeting my favorite team and getting to play at Old Trafford. It’s also an experience I remember and that means a lot today. We hadn’t played any significant games all winter, and then we went out and won against a team like Manchester United. It certainly wasn’t in the cards.”
Midtjylland’s triumph was built on a mix of experience and youthful flair, with Onuachu and Sisto providing the attacking spark.
Sparv believes their squad had the perfect balance to produce big moments like their win over United.
“We had a tribe on the team that was mentally strong and resilient,” he said.
“We knew what football was about, and we were match-intelligent in the different phases and when the matches had to be decided. And then we had the X-factor in some of it, among others Pione Sisto and Paul Onuachu came along. That mix of experience and talent was extraordinary.”
On the night, United’s makeshift side—missing key players including Wayne Rooney and losing David de Gea to injury in the warm-up—struggled to cope with Midtjylland’s intensity.
Sergio Romero, stepping in for De Gea, made some fine saves but was powerless to stop Sisto’s equaliser and Onuachu’s well-placed winner.
The Nigerian striker, who joined Midtjylland from FC Ebedei in 2012, went on to score 74 goals and provide 24 assists in 181 appearances for the club before securing a €6 million move to Belgian side Genk in 2019.
This post was last modified on February 20, 2025 7:08 pm
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