Meek United crash out of Europe

A meek Manchester United performance concluded a shocking UEFA Champions League campaign as they lose by a goal to nil at home to Bayern Munich and fail to even finish third to qualify for the UEFA Europa League knockout playoffs. 

LINEUPS

MUN XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw; McTominay, Amrabat; Antony, Fernandes*, Garnacho; Hojlund

MUN SUBS: Bayindir, Heaton, Evans, Wan-Bissaka, Reguilon, Mainoo, Gore, Mejbri, Pellistri, Hugill

BAY XI: Neuer*; Mazraoui, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Coman, Musiala, Sane; Kane

BAY SUBS: Peretz, Pavlovic, Kratzig, Laimer, Guerreiro, Muller, Tel, Choupo-Moting

Action: A fast Manchester United start provided nothing of note in an attacking sense as The Red Devils failed to be remotely potent or dangerous in the final third.

Within a few moments of starting brightly, Bayern Munich had begun to assert their superiority in terms of territory, ensuring the ball stayed in the United half for much of the first-half but they, too, failed to create much that was clear cut. 

The opening period was mainly defined by half chances or near chances with Luke Shaw having a long-range effort sting the palms of Manuel Neuer and Noussair Mazraoui flash an excellent ball across goal to not be met by anyone.

The most glaring chance came when Bayern countered from a Manchester United corner. Kingsley Coman darted at the hosts’ back-line before picking out Leroy Sane with a deft cross but the former Manchester City winger, with the goal gaping, managed to skew his effort back across goal and essentially clear the danger for his opponents. 

Erik ten Hag’s team talk clearly gave United some impetus as they began the second-half with a little more urgency. Bruno Fernandes came closest in their early spell with one shot blazed over and another dragged wide. 

However, the hosts became tame and unable to offer anything going forward as Bayern began to take control and dominant the proceedings once more, without posing too much of a threat.

Kingsley Coman did eventually hammer the nail into United’s European coffin mid-way through the half. An excellent move which led to Harry Kane playing an excellent pass with the outside of his boot through to Coman who calmly took his time before smashing past Andre Onana and giving the Bavarians the lead.

The goal that officially ends Manchester United's European hopes? ⚽️

Kingsley Coman strolls through the middle of the United defence to give Bayern Munich the lead 💥#UCL pic.twitter.com/vUj9dM3qmt

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2023

The visitors came closest to scoring again with Harry Kane missing a free header from around 12 yards out from a corner. His powerful effort going just wide of the top corner.

The big picture: Manchester United have crashed out of Europe altogether, finishing below both Copenhagen and Galatasaray after a genuinely dreadful UEFA Champions League group stage campaign. Thomas Tuchel is still searching for something in terms of fluency going forward for Bayern but they remain one of the leading contenders to take the title at Wembley Stadium in early June. 

Man of the match: Kim Min-jae. The South Korean defender was excellent as he dominated Rasmus Hojlund and marshalled a defence that gave United very little to work with. 

Expected goals: Manchester United (0.27) 0-1 (1.40) Bayern Munich

EVENTS

Kick-off

’38 | INJURY: Maguire

Half-time

’71 | GOAL: Coman (0-1)

Full-time