Manchester United exited the Champions League with a whimper and barely threatened the Bayern Munich goal on a disappointing night at Old Trafford.
After they conceded five goals away at Stuttgart at the weekend, Bayern Munich entered last night with an ultra-defensive game plan.
It was a shrewd tactic against a Manchester United side that has now failed to score a goal in three of the last five games, and has struggled for consistency all season.
Bayern went on to win the game 1-0, a result which meant the Red Devils finished bottom of the group.
Manchester United really did all the damage in the games before this, winning only one of six in total. This was a Champions League campaign below all expectations.
Thomas Tuchel pity for Manchester United
There was absolutely nothing for Manchester United to take from the game to be positive about, while Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire picked up injuries.
Perhaps the biggest signal of United being at rock bottom (until further depths are plunged at the weekend) was pity from opposing manager Thomas Tuchel.
Bayern manager told Sport1 that he felt sorry for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
He said: “I always feel for the other coach. He was missing a lot of important players, you could clearly see that today. I’m sure he knows what to do next. He doesn’t need an opinion from me. He has that experience of going through it. Of course, I always have sympathy for my colleagues because I know how difficult it is.”
United were missing players like Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez, but all three played in the first game at Bayern which we lost 4-3.
Tuchel also modestly suggested it was difficult to win at Old Trafford – yet he has now done so three times in the Champions League, twice with PSG, and drew while Chelsea boss.
He said: “It’s never easy at Old Trafford. We played well and found our way into the game quickly. We defended well as a team and gave up almost no chances.”
Tuchel expressed a little surprise at Manchester United’s elimination but said the group was tougher than many expected. Bayern won every single game, but four of those wins were by a single goal.
He commented: “Of course it’s a big club. It was not expected that they would be eliminated early. From my point of view we had a tough group, it looks easier than it really was. The opponents were tough, a lot was possible.”
Harry Kane praises United
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane was kept off the scoresheet but he supplied the assist for Kingsley Coman’s winning goal.
Asked about his return to England, he said: “It feels a bit strange. United have a good team. But for me it was just another game to help Bayern Munich.”
He added that Bayern were extra focused after their poor Bundesliga result, commenting: “We talked before the game about how we have to show more passion, more fire, more energy here. We did that. It’s good to get a win. We are very happy with how the group stage went.”
As it turned out, even a win would not have been enough to send Manchester United through, with Copenhagen beating Galatasaray to finish in second place.
United finished fourth and did not even qualify for the Europa League, which may be a blessing in disguise.
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