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Andy Mitten’s insightful analysis on Manchester United’s disastrous Champions League exit

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Andy Mitten’s insightful analysis on Manchester United’s disastrous Champions League exit

United finishes last in Champions League Group A as Bayern Munich secures their top spot thanks to a goal from Kingsley Coman in the 70th minute.Andy Mitten’s insightful analysis on Manchester United’s disastrous exit from Europe after losing to Munich

Erik ten Hag’s team finished bottom of their Champions League group when Kingsley Coman led already-qualified Bayern Munich to victory, ending Manchester United’s European campaign.

The Red Devils’ hopes of making it to the round of sixteen were severely damaged by a chaotic and mistake-filled continental group stage. Advancement was contingent upon defeating the German champions at Old Trafford and a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

A wild, error-strewn continental group stage left the Red Devils’ last-16 hopes hanging by a thread, with progress only possible if they beat the German champions at Old Trafford and Copenhagen and Galatasaray drew.

But the Danes’ victory and Coman’s finish from a smart Harry Kane pass in a 1-0 Bayern win saw toothless United’s hopes of a Champions League miracle go up in smoke as the curtain came down on Group A.

The loss also meant Ten Hag’s side missed out on the consolation prize of Europa League qualification, with this just the fourth time a Premier League side has finished bottom of their Champions League group.

United had restricted Thomas Tuchel’s men to half-chances during the opening period at Old Trafford, where the hosts’ injury list increased as Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw picked up issues just before the break.

The reshuffled backline looked far more solid than during Saturday’s 3-0 humiliation at home to Bournemouth but still could not stop Bayern from running out victorious.

Coman was a livewire throughout his time on the pitch and Kane, a long-term United target, brilliantly played him in to beat Andre Onana as the hosts bowed out of Europe before Christmas.

United mustered just one shot on target in a must-win match that is followed by Sunday’s Premier League trip to rivals Liverpool. There were boos at the final whistle once again.

Man United v Bayern player ratings for keeper

Andre Onana : 6/10

Andre Onana 6/10

MAN UNITED RATINGS: Tonight was not the problem. Conceding 14 in the first five games was, though United wouldn’t have won a single game had he not made important saves against Copenhagen. Could do little for the Bayern goal. EPA

 

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