Manchester United exits after defeat to Bayern

The record German champions had no trouble at Manchester United and finished the first division group stage unbeaten. A stroke of genius makes the decision.

Bayern Munich returned with a confident performance just days after losing 5-1 in the Bundesliga to Eintracht Frankfurt. The defending German champions won 1-0 (0-0) over Manchester United in the final round of the Champions League preliminary round and finished the group stage unbeaten.

Kingsley Coman (70) scored the goal on Tuesday evening at Old Trafford after a wonderful pass from Harry Kane. Bayern were the team that dominated the game against the hosts, who were disappointing for long periods. Given Copenhagen’s simultaneous 1-0 win in the parallel match against Galatasaray, it is also clear that United, as bottom of the group, have been completely eliminated from the European Cup. The Danes qualify for the round of 16 with Bayern and Galatasaray in the European League.

Things will be exciting for Bayern next Monday. Then the round of 16 pairs will be drawn. It is clear that the Munich team will face the group runner-up, which means ruling out an early knockout duel with football heavyweights such as defending champion Manchester City or Real Madrid. Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig were also eliminated as contenders. The home matches are scheduled to be held in February and the return matches in March 2024.

That’s how the game went

The behaviour, the body language, the concentration – Bayern seemed wide awake and in control of what was happening on the pitch. Musiala provided the momentum for 66 minutes before being replaced by Thomas Muller. In his first match as a professional player for Bayern in his home country, Keane worked hard for the team – including the defence. Unlike the 4:3 first leg, the 30-year-old did not appear as a scorer in the box. A long-range shot was Kane’s poor response (10th). After a wonderful cross pass from Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane failed to shoot the ball correctly in his best opportunity (32).

The Red Devils, who should have certainly won, did not make much of an early lead. In addition, star defender Harry Maguire apparently injured his thigh and had to be substituted after 40 minutes, meaning defensive weakness.

After the break, the hosts initially increased their attacking intensity, but Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was able to rely on his attackers in his 700th official match at club level. Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim defended with great effort. In the foreground, Mueller emerges as a joker. The 34-year-old sent Kane on, and after a deep pass, Koeman, who was standing free in front of goalkeeper Andre Onana, coolly slotted the ball over.

(cat/t-online)