Manchester United could have played their last Champions League game for a while after crashing out of this year’s competition to Atletico Madrid.
Ralf Rangnick’s side huffed and puffed but had a clear lack of ideas of how to break down Diego Simeone’s stubborn side.
The defeat to the reigning La Liga champions effectively brings Manchester United’s miserable season to an end in mid-March.
The Red Devils now have an uphill battle qualifying for next season’s competition which could have huge ramifications in the summer transfer window, if we do miss out on the all important fourth spot.
Here were United’s three worst players from a disappointing night at Old Trafford…
Diogo Dalot
After seeing Victor Lindelof play ahead of both him and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the Wanda Metropolitano, Dalot was given the nod at the Theatre of Dreams.
But the Portuguese international was caught napping when Renan Lodi headed home Antoine Griezmann’s cross which proved to be the winning goal in the tie.
Dalot has improved defensively, but he switched off at the wrong time in United’s biggest game of the season.
With neither United’s number 20 or Wan-Bissaka nailing down the right-back spot, time may be running out for both of them as the Reds may delve into the transfer market to provide further competition this summer.
Harry Maguire
It’s not just Harry Maguire, but the former Leicester City man looks out of place playing on the big European stage, let alone being the man holding the captain’s armband.
The England international was jittery in possession and Atletico allowed him to have the ball knowing he was going to play himself into trouble.
There’s likely to be a huge clear-out at Old Trafford in the summer and it would be a huge surprise if Maguire is still a first choice centre back come the start of next season.
Joao Felix and Griezmann pulled United’s number five into areas he didn’t want to be and then exploited his glaring lack of pace by running in-behind.
If United want to get back to challenging for major trophies then it’s hard to see how that will happen with Maguire playing at the heart of our defence.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford’s confidence would have likely took another big dent when Rangnick announced that Anthony Elanga would be starting ahead of him.
But on current form, there can be no argument, Elanga is head and shoulders above the beleaguered international currently.
When he came onto the pitch with 25 minutes remaining, it was hoped that he could be the catalyst to turn the tie around.
But United’s number 10 looked plagued with self doubt every time he got on the ball and his self belief looks completely shot.
His lack of confidence was evident in the closing stages when he was reluctant to try and go past the full-back or swing a cross in.
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