Manchester United’s season continues and gets deeper and deeper into gloom. In a very unfavorable position before facing Bayern Munich this Tuesday evening, on behalf of the 6th and final day of the group stage of the Champions League, the Red Devils needed a victory at all costs to have any hope, at best, hang on to the Europa League. In the end, a disaster scenario unfolded as Erik Ten Hag’s men, beaten by the Bavarians (0-1), were eliminated from all European competitions.
Especially since, to save the Mancunian club’s place in the Champions League, a favorable score was needed in the match between Copenhagen, which had a one-point lead at kick-off, and Galatasaray. In the end, the Danes won against the Turks by the same score (1-0). It is therefore they who will continue the adventure in the Champions League, while the teammates of Mauro Icardi and Hakim Ziyech will be transferred to the Europa League.
4th in their group, only the second time in United’s history
It was a goal from Kingsley Coman, at the end of the match (70th), alone in front of Onana after a good combination with Harry Kane, which sealed the fate of the Red Devils. Despite the numerous and offensive changes made by Ten Hag at the end of the match, notably with the entries of young Mejbri, Pellistri and Mainoo, nothing was enough to redress the situation. This is only the second time, since 1994-95 and the change in the format of the Champions League and the introduction of groups, that United have finished 4th in their group. The first time was almost 20 years ago, during the 2005-06 season.
This is another terrible poor performance for United, in a very uncomfortable sporting situation for more than a year. While its news is mainly marked by the twists and turns of an endless takeover process, the Mancuniens are currently 6th in the Premier League and remain, in the championship, with a heavy defeat against the poorly ranked Everton (3-0). On the European scene, they can harbor immense regrets since they had missed the opportunity to win their two previous matches, against Copenhagen when they led 3-2 until the 83rd minute, to ultimately lose losing 4-3, and facing Galatasaray, which they dominated 3-1 before being caught (3-3).
For their part, Bayern consolidated their already acquired first place in Group A thanks to this victory and emerged from this group campaign undefeated.
The Europa League for Benfica
There was little suspense in the other groups playing this Tuesday evening. Group B was decided at the start of the evening, with the ultra-important victory for Lens to secure the Europa League. In Group C, that of Real, Carlo Ancelotti’s men completed their flawless journey by overcoming Union Berlin, at the end of a close match (3-2), while Naples defeated Braga (2-0). In group D especially, Benfica, who got off to a very poor start, beat their direct competitor for 3rd place, Salzburg (3-1), notably with a nice goal from Angel Di Maria. In the qualifying match, Real Sociedad and Inter maintained the status quo (0-0).
