Manchester United FC hosted FC Bayern Munich in a crunch clash at their home ground in Old Trafford. This was a must-win game for the hosts to guarantee them some European soccer this 2023-24 season. However, that did not happen in the end.
Manchester United played extremely poorly in their home ground against Bayern and lost the game 0-1 which saw them being eliminated from the decorated UEFA Champions League. Also, United finished last in their group, meaning they did not qualify for the UEFA Europa League too, missing out on European soccer completely this 2023-24 season.
🚨🔴 Erik ten Hag: “We made mistakes. Today the performance was very good. We didn’t deserve to lose but we lost the game”.
“In the end, it’s not good enough”, told TNT. pic.twitter.com/dwU3PonDiO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 12, 2023
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag when asked about his side’s performance and result, said, “We made mistakes. Today the performance was very good. We didn’t deserve to lose but we lost the game, In the end, it’s not good enough”, Erik told TNT.
In another disappointing night for United, they managed just one effort on goal in a match they had to win and were second-best in every area. With 15 goals conceded in six games—the weakest defensive record by a Premier League team in the competition—they finished their worst Champions League season with four points.
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw add to Manchester United’s injury woes
On December 12th, Harry Maguire started his fourth Champions League match of the year when United hosted Bayern at Old Trafford. He played a part in a defense that largely silenced the German champs in the first half. Nevertheless, Maguire seemed to suffer a left groin injury about 10 minutes before halftime. After receiving medical attention, the England international appeared willing to stay on the field.
Despite this, Erik ten Hag decided to substitute him, and in the 40th minute, Jonny Evans entered the game in his place. It’s a setback on a night when United had to win to have any hope of qualifying for the Champions League round of 16. Luke Shaw was substituted at halftime, though it’s unclear why the left-back was removed from the game. His replacement was brought in as Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
🇪🇺 No European football
⚽️ 15 goals conceded in their group
📉 6th in the Premier League
💴 Over £400 million spent
🤕 Maguire & Shaw injured
🔴 Liverpool nextIs Erik Ten Hag in trouble? 🫣 pic.twitter.com/Vr4okf2UU9
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 12, 2023
Ten Hag put forward his views on the two injuries that occurred during the match. He said, “It is simple today we have to make subs and we are losing players and players who are very decisive for our game, who can make the difference in many games. It was the case in this campaign that we did not always have the players available we wanted to play,” Ten Hag said.
It remains to be seen now how Erik ten Hag and his side improve from these setbacks and provide a fitting reply to the fans and critics around the world. Ten Hag will have to turn the tide in his favor if he needs the support from his fans as patience seems to be wearing thin for the United fanbase after consecutive losses in their home ground, Old Trafford.
