Manchester United lost the first game of the Champions League group stages, defeated 4-3 at Bayern Munich.
Nobody likes losing games, especially Manchester United. The team is in a rare position of losing three matches in a row.
However, the loss against Bayern Munich was one from which United could salvage some positives, and take some pride from the late fightback.
And in the context of the Champions League group, it may not be too damaging, as the other game ended a 2-2 draw between Galatasaray and Copenhagen.
READ: Five things we learned as Manchester United lost 4-3 to Bayern Munich
Manchester United currently bottom of the group
Manchester United rank fourth in the Champions League group currently, however, by the end of the next game, there is a strong chance we will be back up to second.
A victory over Galatsaray, combined with Bayern beating Copenhagen, will take us into second place. And then United have two matches against the Danes.
Speaking to MUTV, former player John O’Shea was asked whether he believes Manchester United will qualify for the knockout rounds, after this loss to Bayern.
He responded: “Very confident. You fancy if United perform to any decent level they beat Copenhagen home and away, home [to] Galatasaray, you always fancy to beat a Turkish team at home. Away, more vociferous, different story.”
Three wins and a draw from those games would take United to 10 points, which should be enough to qualify.
O’Shea added that he was confident United could get a point or more from the final game against Bayern at Old Trafford if needed, but added: “Hopefully it’s wrapped up before then.”
Bayern themselves may already have qualified, but they would be tough opponents even with a rotated side.
O’Shea is right that United should aim to have qualification assured by then. This defeat does make it difficult to achieve first place, and may rely on Bayern dropping points.
First place not impossible
One positive is the 4-3 loss was not a damaging performance from a goal difference perspective.
If United can win the other four games healthily, and then beat Bayern, finishing first in the group is still viable.
But considering the team have just lost four of six games in all competitions, perhaps we should temper expectations right now.
With games upcoming against Burnley, Crystal Palace, twice, and then Galatasaray, hopefully we can get back on track.
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