Manchester United 0-1 Bayern Munich: What Were The Key Talking Points As The Red Devils Watch Their European Adventure Come To An End?

In search of a European miracle on Tuesday night, Manchester United saw their Champions League adventure come to an infamous end as they slumped to a 1-0 loss against Bayern Munich.

Failing to find any kind of attacking edge in what was a season-defining night at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag’s side end their Group A campaign sat rock-bottom of the table and also missed out on the chance to salvage a Europa League ticket for the New Year.

With France international Kingsley Coman eventually notching the winner in the 70th minute, there were more boos around Old Trafford at the final whistle as the United players fell to their knees.

Enduring another public nightmare at Old Trafford over the past week and still reeling from their 3-0 drumming at the hands of Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, ten Hag will have even more pressure on his position.

While Bayern Munich might have been coming off the back of a shock 5-1 defeat away at Eintracht Frankfurt over the weekend, Thomas Tuchel’s side certainly came roaring back here.

Enjoying what has been a stellar Champions League romp this season, the German giants collected 16 points from their six Group A appearances and they have staked their claim as a leading European contender in the New Year.

On a night when Manchester United certainly face another public backlash, we have taken a look at the key talking from Old Trafford.

The pressure on ten Hag will soon reach a boiling point

Putting in a woeful performance at Old Trafford over the weekend as they slumped to an infamous 3-0 drumming at the hands of Bournemouth, Manchester United certainly had a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders here.

Only continuing to show a string of Champions League issues this season and eventually finishing rock-bottom of the Group A table, ten Hag’s men have also broken a string of unwanted records.

Along with suffering four group stage defeats for the first time in their history, United also became the first English club to ship 15 goals in their five appearances.

Enduring what appears to be a real uphill battle in their bid to claim another top-four finish in the Premier League this season, the former Ajax boss will have plenty of questions to answer over the coming days.

Quickly gaining a reputation for their continued issues at Old Trafford, the Dutch tactician has also come under increasing scrutiny for his negative approach.

Failing to create any golden opportunities here and now drawing a blank in three of their previous four appearances across all competitions, United certainly saw their European adventure come to an end with a whimper.

Bayern are a genuine Champions League contender

While Bayern Munich might be facing a real battle in their bid to make more Bundesliga history this season, the German record-breakers should be considered a genuine European contender in the New Year.

Despite slumping to a shock 5-1 defeat away at Eintracht Frankfurt over the weekend, Tuchel will be hugely impressed by his side’s immediate response at Old Trafford.

Laying down another Champions League marker on Tuesday night and clinching back-to-back Group A victories against United, the former Chelsea boss has seen his superstar squad gain a string of plaudits.

Breezing their way to top spot in Group A with plenty of time to spare and not really having to get out of third gear, Bayern will certainly be a stern examination for any of Europe’s elite.

With England skipper Harry Kane enjoying what has been a history-making start to life at the Allianz since completing his £100million move from Tottenham, Tuchel’s high-flying squad should be smelling a real opportunity in 2024.

Mustering 16 points from their six Group A appearances this season, Bayern’s European romp would have certainly been noted across the continent.

Concern over Maguire & Shaw

Struggling to find any kind of domestic stability so far this season and with their European dreams officially coming to an end here, ten Hag also has even more injury frustration to deal with.

With a stacked treatment room at Old Trafford and still unable to call upon the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia, United were hit with another devastating potential double injury blow here.

While England international Harry Maguire might have enjoyed a real Old Trafford resurge over the past couple of months, the former Leicester defender sustained a growing injury on Tuesday night and was forced to limp off late in the first half.

Likewise, with Luke Shaw failing to return from the half time interval after picking up a suspected hamstring strain, ten Hag will nervously be waiting for an update ahead of another heavyweight showdown this weekend.

Now suffering a pair of infamous defeats against Bournemouth and Bayern over the past few days, United will be next seen on Sunday afternoon when they travel to historic rivals Liverpool.

Match Report

Manchester United: Onana, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, Amrabat, McTominay, Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund

Subs: Evans, Mainoo, Pellistri, Wan-Bissaka, Mejbri

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Mazraoui, Upamecano, Kim, Davies, Goretzka, Kimmich, Coman, Musiala, Sane, Kane

Subs: Tel, Guerreiro, Laimer, Muller

Goals: Coman (70’)

Yellow Cards: Manchester United: Amrabat, Antony – Bayern Munich: Goretzka

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Espen Eskas