Man Utd boss Erik Ten Hag insisted his aspect had been “very good” and that he had no regrets over their Champions League marketing campaign regardless of exiting the match with a whimper in opposition to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Needing a win to have any probability of progressing to the final 16, United managed just one shot heading in the right direction all evening, and that got here from Luke Shaw’s hopeful long-range effort halfway via the primary half.
As a substitute, Bayern – who had been enjoying just for delight after beforehand sealing high spot in Group A – emerged victorious via Kingsley Coman’s Seventieth-minute winner. They loved 10 photographs, double that of their hosts, 17 opposition-box touches to United’s 10, and noticed virtually 60 per cent of the ball throughout the 90 minutes.
In the long run, Man Utd’s Champions League hopes would have been dashed anyway owing to FC Copenhagen’s win over Galatasaray, however defeat left them all-time low of their group after only one win from their six video games, behind groups ranked forty second and 54th in UEFA’s membership coefficient record.
Ten Hag admitted United’s Champions League marketing campaign was “not good enough” however batted away strategies he could have regrets over the ignominious means it had unfolded. He as a substitute praised his gamers’ efficiency and talked up the standard of their opponents – regardless of their very own 5-1 defeat at Frankfurt within the Bundesliga on Saturday.
He informed TNT Sports activities: “The workforce did superb, we had been superb defensively and within the urgent. We had many ball regains, particularly second half. However then we did not take sufficient profit from it – we had been enjoying in opposition to a robust aspect.
“Bayern at all times, even when they don’t seem to be within the sport, have sufficient particular person class to provide one second – and that is what occurred.
“We all know we need to be extra constant. Me as a supervisor, I’ve to enhance the workforce, assist the workforce progress, information them, and the gamers need to take duty. We’ve to do this collectively.
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Tim Sherwood suggests Andre Onana ought to’ve been faster off his line to attempt to forestall Bayern Munich from taking the lead
“The players gave everything, we saw the spirit. I have to pay a big compliment for the way they worked together as a team against a good Bayern side.
“You want power when the sport goes, and particularly in ahead positions the choices [on the bench] had been restricted.
“I don’t look with regret [at the campaign]. We want to be in the Champions League, the target was always to qualify for the knock-outs, but we have to learn from it, and accept we played some good football.
“Rasmus Hojlund scored 5 occasions, we had some superb performances, and we have now to take that into the Premier League.
“We want to be back in the Champions League again and so we have to qualify again.”
Kingsley Coman’s second-half objective sealed Manchester United’s Champions League destiny
Analysis: Man Utd out of Europe – but their misery goes on
Manchester United are out of Europe, crushed by Bayern Munich for the second time this season. It was the defeats to Copenhagen and Galatasaray that left them with an excessive amount of to do. Not simply eradicated from the Champions League however backside of the group.
From the tragedy to the triumph, European nights are a part of what makes this membership particular. The statues of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Greatest and Denis Legislation rejoice the 1968 success. The go to of Bayern Munich brings to thoughts that almost all magical of moments in 1999.
Jose Mourinho downplayed that ‘soccer heritage’ by highlighting their more moderen file however he nonetheless managed to barter the Champions League group stage in every of his two makes an attempt. Even that modest ambition proved past Erik ten Hag’s workforce.
The draw was type. Bayern’s pedigree is apparent however Copenhagen and Galatasaray supplied a transparent path to the subsequent stage. As a substitute, United depart having not solely been crushed by all three opponents however with no workforce within the competitors having conceded extra targets.
This shouldn’t be potential, the Champions League is structured to forestall such a failure for the sport’s richest golf equipment. The wealthiest three sides in Spain and Germany had progressed with a sport to spare with Inter, Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis becoming a member of them too.
This was no nightmare of a gaggle, not the gauntlet that Newcastle needed to run. And but, Manchester United contrived to seek out demons the place there have been none. Their solely victory in six makes an attempt wanted a stoppage-time penalty save from Andre Onana.
Read Adam Bate’s full feature on Man Utd’s dismal exit from Europe here.
