Manchester United were defeated 4-3 against Bayern Munich, suffering yet another loss. Here is a look at five things we learned…
Andre Onana error will increase spotlight on him
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana made a critical error after 27 minutes when he let Leroy Sane’s weak shot through his hands.
It was a bad mistake, arguably worse than the one David de Gea made in the FA Cup final.
The scrutiny on the Cameroon international will increase after this. Expect the TV and radio pundits to tear into him.
It won’t help for United fans to do the same. Early in his career at the club, Onana needs backing. Even if this was a night to forget.
Second half fightback salvages pride despite defeat
It was another decent start from Manchester United in the opening 20-25 minutes. Then as soon as the opening goal went in, Bayern capitalised and scored a second.
United have themselves to blame. Facundo Pellistri and Christian Eriksen both had chances in the first five minutes and failed to score.
In matches against top teams, you have to take your chances. Manchester United can’t afford to be wasteful, and continue to learn the hard way.
This team is too fragile right now. One knock and it all falls apart. That as the story of the first half, at least.
In the second half, there was pride and a fightback, and United did not totally give up. They stuck at it and were pretty resilient from open play in the second half, although were spared by the woodwork twice.
Casemiro pulled two late goals back to give United hope. Erik ten Hag’s side went down, but went down fighting, with Bayern scoring a fourth.
Rasmus Hojlund scores his first United goal
Erik ten Hag said in the build-up to the game he saw positive signs of link-up between Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund.
Early in the second half it was Rashford who set Hojlund up to score his first ever goal for the club.
Hojlund, 20, was also scoring his first Champions League goal. It came from his first shot on target, after a header sailed over in the first half. This will do wonders for the striker’s confidence
His goal helped United get back into the game before a harsh penalty call went in Bayern’s favour.
Bench highlights weak squad
Manchester United’s injury crisis got worse this week when Aaron Wan-Bissaka suffered an injury and then Harry Maguire dropped out of the travelling squad too.
On the bench against Bayern, Manchester United had three goalkeepers and only one defender, Jonny Evans.
Youngsters Dan Gore and Omari Forson, with no first team appearances to their name, were also involved.
In terms of attacking options to fight back into the game, Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho were the only available forwards with first team action to their name.
This lack of depth really highlights what Erik ten Hag is up against right now, and hopefully we will get some players back for the weekend match against Burnley.
The group is wide open
The next Champions League match is at home to Galatasaray on October 3. Manchester United will expect to take maximum points from all home fixtures, and certainly that one.
The other result in the group tonight saw Galatasaray draw 2-2 with Copenhagen, which keeps the table wide open.
The toughest fixture is now out of the way, and a home win in the next game would leave United in a strong position, heading into two matches against Copenhagen.
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