Manchester United crashed out of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, after losing to reigning champions Bayern Munich 3-1 despite a brave battle against the Bavarian’s incredible attacking talents.
The Red Devils took the lead just before the hour mark, as Patrice Evra latched on to a loose ball and smashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner to put United 2-1 ahead on aggregate. However, Evra turned from hero to zero in the space of 22 seconds, as he failed to mark Mario Mandzukic who headed home an equalizer to deflate United’s players.
Thomas Müller and Arjen Robben struck soon after as Bayern’s juggernaut, masterminded by Pep Guardiola, made the UCL semifinals for the third-straight season.
As for United, their Champions League dreams are over for this season, and with David Moyes’ men seven points off fourth spot in the Premier League, it could be a few years until they grace Europe’s elite club competition again.
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Bayern had plenty of the early possession, as expected, but in the 7th minute Manchester United had a glorious chance to go ahead. Darren Fletcher’s lofted ball over the top found Wayne Rooney in acres of space, however the Englishman dallied on the ball and failed to play in Shinji Kagawa to his left as Bayern cleared the danger.
United soaked up Munich’s attack resolutely, while looking dangerous on the break whenever they got the chance to spring an attack. Robben and Franck Ribery prodded and probed the Red Devils’ defense, however they were frustrated early on. In the 16th minute United had the ball in the back of the net, as Rooney’s cross found Antonio Valencia at the back post to slot home... but the Ecuadorian winger had strayed into an offside position.
The home side started to press more as half time approached, with Ribery smashing a long-range effort into the side-netting just before the 30 minute mark. In the 43rd minute Robben cut in from the hand side and took the ball past three United defenders, before hammering a shot towards goal which Chris Smalling blocked as the two rivals were locked at 0-0 at the break.
At the start of the second half, United won several corners as they pinned Bayern back, but the home side surged forward to try and kill the tie off but slack finishing thwarted Munich from going ahead on the night.
In the 57th minute it was United who went ahead, as Valencia cut in from the right and picked out the advancing Evra who smashed a rasping effort into the top corner as Bayern’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was effortless. However United’s joy was short lived, as just 22 seconds later Bayern were level when Mandzukic headed home Ribery’s cross after being left unmarked by United’s goalscorer Evra. Pandemonium at the Allianz Arena, as the game came to life in dramatic fashion just before the hour mark.
In the 61st minute the Red Devils should have gone 2-1 up, but Welbeck’s sensational set up play was wasted by Rooney, who inexplicably scuffed his shot when left unmarked 10-yards out and with the goal beckoning. United were made to pay for that mistake, as Muller put Bayern 2-1 ahead in the 68th minute, when Robben’s low cross allowed the German international to tap home from inside the six-yard box.
With 15 minutes to go the crucial goal arrived, as Robben cut in from the right to devastating effect and his left-footed shot deflected off of Vidic’s boot and past David De Gea to put Bayern 3-1 up. United tried to get themselves back in the game late on, but the relentless effort Moyes’ men had put in to told, as Munich head into the final four of the Champions League.
LINEUPS
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Dante, Boateng, Lahm, Müller (Pizarro, 84'), Alaba, Götze (Rafinha, 64'), Kroos, Ribéry, Mandzukic, Robben
Goals: Mandzukic (59'), Müller (68'), Robben (76')
Manchester United: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher (Hernandez, 74'), Carrick; Valencia, Rooney, Kagawa; Welbeck (Januzaj, 81')
Goal: Evra (57')