Manchester United went into matchday 6 of this season’s UCL group stage game against Bayern Munich knowing anything less than a win would condemn them to the bottom of the group stage standing, where they had been for quite some time now. Erik ten Hag’s men also needed a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray to have any hopes of qualification to the knockout stage.
However, everything did not go according to plan. Instead, United lost to Bayern Munich, and Copenhagen won against Galatasaray, which means Erik ten Hag did not take United past the group stage of the competition as the club also broke a number of unwanted records.
Manchester United becomes the first English club to concede 15 goals in UCL group stage
Manchester United looked like they were in for a long season when they struggled to get a win against Wolves in their opening game of the season. The club went on to lose four of their next five games, including a 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich in the first group stage game of this season’s UCL.
United conceded four on the night as Bayern Munich ran riot against the three-time European Cup/UCL champions. This was the beginning of the end for the Red Devils, who went ahead to concede three more goals against Galatasaray at Old Trafford to make it two losses in their opening two UCL games and seven goals conceded in those two games, with Wilfried Zaha scoring against his former side.
With yesterday’s loss to Bayern Munich, thanks to Kingsley Coman’s goal, United conceded a total of 15 goals in the UCL group stage, making the Red Devils the first Premier League team to achieve this unwanted feat. The only time United kept a clean sheet in this season’s UCL campaign was the home game against Copenhagen, which they won 1-0.
Manchester United crashed out of the UCL with a negative goal difference of -3, summing up the bad form the club has had to endure all season.
Manchester United is the first English club to finish bottom of their UCL group stage twice
The struggle continues for Manchester United as their early-season inconsistency has led them to an early exit in this season’s UCL. Nobody thought they would go deeper in the competition, but a group-stage exit is such a shame for a club of Manchester United’s stature.
By being dumped out of the UCL, United became the first English club to finish bottom of their UCL group stage twice, with the first embarrassing exit coming in the 2005/06 season.
Erik ten Hag’s role has been in doubt for a few months now, with some reports suggesting he may face the axe if United continue to regress this season. It’s not January yet, and United’s season looks to be over.
The club can only hope for a top-half finish, and a spot in the knockout stages of the FA Cup, as Newcastle already took them out of the race to defend their Carabao Cup title.
Should Manchester United continue to put their faith in Erik ten Hag?
