Manchester United are in a tough moment. And it could become more grim with a tough match away at Bayern Munich this week.
The Red Devils’ Champions League campaign gets the toughest game out of the way early, but it comes at the worst possible time for the club.
Bayern Munich are in strong form domestically under Thomas Tuchel, unbeaten so far with three wins and one draw from four Bundesliga games.
Ahead of the game at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night, we have taken a look at what the German media have been saying about Manchester United.
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German media on Manchester United crisis
Kicker reported that after Brighton’s second goal, the game was over, writing: “United did not recover and found no offensive solutions at all.”
The outlet had praised Marcus Rashford’s first half contribution, writing that he “repeatedly put the Seagulls’ defense on alert and was involved in almost every Red Devils attack.”
BILD were harsher on United, writing: “Brighton Hove & Albion are mercilessly effective and disgrace Man United 3-1.”
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The newspaper also focused on German star Pascal Groß, who had made his international debut for his country earlier in the week, before scoring against United for the seventh time.
Praising his goal, their report described: “First the DFB star sends world champion Martinez into space with a great feint, then he finishes ice-coldly into the right corner.”
The newspaper also took a wider view on Manchester United’s problems, which has seen three defeats from five Premier League games to start the season.
BILD wrote: “Whistles against the coach, top stars not in the squad, United sinks into a mega-crisis before the Bayern cracker.”
The report added: “FC Bayern doesn’t have to fear Manchester United!”
It looked at a month of turmoil at United behind the scenes, most recently with former Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho left out of the squad.
“United’s problems didn’t end with Greenwood – instead, they only got worse in the weeks leading up to the Bayern clash,” BILD noted.
There was more of the same from the German version of Eurosport, which reported: “Before the duel in Munich, the Red Devils’ hopes shouldn’t be too high. The club is sinking into chaos these days, especially off the pitch. On Saturday, the dress rehearsal for the Bayern game went completely awry.”
Manchester United will be underdogs
Manchester United will enter the game on Wednesday as underdogs. But that doesn’t take the pressure away, and set up a scenario where there is ‘nothing to lose’.
There is always pride and pressure at Manchester United, and these players will be expected to take on Bayern with no fear and plenty of belief.
Manager Erik ten Hag has a huge job to turn it around, but if United can get a surprise win, it could be a result which changes the team’s season.