Manchester United’s season has gone from bad to worse as they have crashed out of Europe altogether with a 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich.
The Red Devils needed to beat the German giants and hope that Galatasaray’s clash away at Copenhagen ended in a draw for them to secure their entry in the Champions League knockout stage.
But Erik ten Hag’s side failed to create anything of note against the Bavarian outfit at Old Trafford, with Kingsley Coman’s 70th minute strike condemning them to bottom spot in Group A.
It was the 15th goal that the hosts have conceded from their six matches – the most of any English side in the group stages of the European Cup.
And it was a goal that was beautifully created by Harry Kane on his return to England following his summer switch from Tottenham.
The Three Lions skipper gloriously found the run of the French winger with the outside of his right boot, with Coman firing past Andre Onana into the bottom left corner.
Ten Hag would have been hoping for a positive reaction from his men following the humiliating 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth last weekend.
But his side had no answer in breaking down a resilient Bayern side, who have bounced back from their 5-1 drubbing at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
In the end, victory for United wouldn’t have sealed their passage into the next round as Copenhagen beat their Turkish opponents to earn second spot behind Bayern.
However, a win would have seen them gain entry into the Europa League knockout play-off round.
United finished bottom of Group A after picking up just five points from six games
In another unwanted stat, United are the first Premier League club to finish bottom of a Champions League group twice, with the first time coming in the 2005/06 season.
To add insult to injury for United, they also lost Harry Maguire to a suspected groin knock, which could see him miss Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.
Meanwhile Luke Shaw also went off at half-time, though it remains to be seen whether that change was due to injury or if it was tactical from Ten Hag.
Ultimately, United’s failure to close out games earlier in the competition has proved to be their downfall.
They threw away two-goal leads away at Copenhagen and Galatasaray, while also losing to the latter at home despite leading twice.
With United looking likely to finish outside the top four, winning the Europa League presented United with their best chance of securing Champions League football for next season.