In pictures: Man Utd v Bayern Munich
Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League following a dispirited 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening. A goalless first half saw tensions rise at Old Trafford, before Kingsley Coman latched onto Harry Kane’s smart assist to finish past Andre Onana and seal victory for the German giants. Here, Express Sport looks at the major talking points from the tie, including a double injury blow for Erik ten Hag.
United out of the Champions League
Going into the match, United were aware that they needed to defeat Bayern and hope that the group’s other game between Copenhagen and Galatasaray ended in a draw in order to progress to the knockout stages.
A win over the Bundesliga champions and victory in the other game for either side would have seen the Red Devils drop into the Europa League, but defeat at the hands of Thomas Tuchel’s outfit ensured that United finished bottom of the group and will not play European football for the remainder of the season.
Copenhagen defeated Galatasaray 1-0 thanks to Lukas Lerager’s effort which meant that United were out of the Champions League even if they had beaten Bayern, but another poor result and performance will certainly see the pressure rise on Ten Hag once again.
United will be bitterly disappointed that they were unable to qualify from a group consisting of Copenhagen and Galatasaray. They took just one win and four points from their six games and despite averaging two goals per game in the competition, were clutching at straws on the final matchday.
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Double injury blow
United’s injury woes were significantly worsened on Tuesday evening as both Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were forced off before the second half commenced.
Maguire pulled up with a groin issue that he spotted immediately and was brought off for Jonny Evans, a dispiriting blow after his stunning resurgence at the club – having recently been named the Premier League Player of the Month for November.
Shaw was spotted chatting to the coaching staff throughout the first 45 minutes and holding his hamstring, but lasted until half-time before he was replaced by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The pair are comfortably one of the first few names on Ten Hag’s teamsheet currently and to lose them ahead of a busy festive period would come as a major inconvenience for United.
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Dismal defensive showing
Even though it was just one goal conceded against a Bayern side that have impressed this season, United have conceded a jaw-dropping 15 goals in six group-stage games. Only Royal Antwerp have allowed more goals scored against them in the competition, as Ten Hag will certainly feel that an inability to keep the ball out of the net ultimately cost his side.
Onana made several costly errors that led to goals in previous matches, but in away trips to Copenhagen and Galatasaray they conceded four and three times respectively, defensively it is far from good enough to reach the knockout stages of the competition.
Kane back in England
Kane returned to England for the first time to play a club football match since joining Bayern, on the ground where he could have been plying his trade if circumstances were different in the summer.
With the national team captain prepared to leave Tottenham, United held a long-standing interest in the striker but felt that they were unable to pay the necessary financial package to sign him.
Instead, Rasmus Hojlund was brought in from Atalanta for £72million and only time will tell whether they made the correct decision, but with the Danish forward yet to score a Premier League goal while Kane is the Bundesliga’s top scorer with 18 goals in 13 league games, he has certainly enjoyed the better start of the two forwards.
The 30-year-old enjoyed a typical Kane performance, often dropping deep to set up chances for his team-mates and even though he was unable to get on the scoresheet, cunningly tapped the ball around the corner to set up Coman for the only goal of the game.
Varane back in the fold
Ten Hag made the curious decision to recall Varane to the team for his first starting appearance since October 24, citing the need for his experience and defensive quality despite preferring Maguire, Shaw, Evans and Victor Lindelof over the former Real Madrid man in recent months.
Paul Scholes described it as “the worst game to come into” for Varane, but he held his own and the Frenchman will likely be called upon again if Maguire and Shaw’s injuries keep them out for any lengthy period.
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