Man Utd 0-1 Bayern Munich (Coman 70′)
OLD TRAFFORD — Jose Mourinho was right – this really is football heritage.
In March 2018, after Mourinho’s unimaginative Manchester United had been sent crashing out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage, the Portuguese manager was not having the criticism coming his way.
He insisted early Champions League exits were where post Sir Alex Ferguson United were at and they should accept their fate – a shadow of their former grandeur.
The reaction, at the time, was one of vitriol. AS memorably accused Mourinho of playing “troglodyte” football. How dare he suggest the might of Manchester United had fallen so far as to accept they were not capable of reaching the latter stages of Europe’s premier competition.
Yet, five and a half years and four managers later, Mourinho’s words turned out to be somewhat prophetic. A defeat to a Bayern Munich side in second gear sent United crashing out of the Champions League at the group stage for the fourth time in their last nine attempts.
Bayern have not failed to reach the knockout stages since 2008, while record winners Real Madrid’s last group-stage exit was 1997-98. Even as Mourinho protested he could only do so much, the club was still regarded by most as part of Europe’s elite, and they would soon rekindle their former glory.
Now, despite billions spent on players, United must come to the realisation that the likes of Bayern are no longer their equal, in any way, shape or form.
United have in fact reserved some of their better performances this season for the Champions League and should have amassed many more than four points.
Erik ten Hag suggested as much in his pre-match programme notes, but got one thing fundamentally wrong – United are not capable of better at this level, as their wretched record suggests.
Bayern’s full-strength team told you all you need to know about why their place at Europe’s top table is as secure as any, and why United have been tossed out the back door for behaviour not befitting of the establishment.
No more European football for Man United as they finish 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐎𝐌 of Group A
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2023#UCL pic.twitter.com/5dQ07eaLWs
The German champions travelled to Manchester on a remarkable run of 39 unbeaten group stage matches, stretching back to 2017. With absolutely nothing to play for – top spot in Group A already in the bag – most other teams would make wholesale changes, but the elite remain a closed old boys’ club, other than upstarts like Manchester City knocking down the door on the membership office, because long, impressive records mean something to them.
They knew they didn’t have to overexert themselves to make it 40 unbeaten. The visitors had the better of the first-half action, Harry Kane forcing an early save out of Andre Onana, while Leroy Sane should really have scored after bursting through the heart of the home rearguard that parted like the Red Sea.
United improved after the break, and had Bruno Fernandes fired home from the edge of the box, Ten Hag’s side could have been heading for the Europa League – their best hope of some silverware this term.
Player of the match: Jamal Musiala
Turned it on when he needed to. Streets ahead of anyone in the United midfield.
Wily Bayern, however, knew their moment would come. Kane played his part, threading a superb pass into Kingsley Coman, with the France international having all the time in the world to arrow home the winner past Onana.
“You’re s***, and you know you are,” Bayern fans serenaded Old Trafford as it emptied. In reality, they’re not far wrong.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/uWXtnhU
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