10/05 - 20:00
Manchester United lost their third game in a row in an entertaining clash with Bayern Munich in Germany.
Erik ten Hag’s selection woes continued with the manager resorting to naming three goalkeepers on the bench with Facundo Pellistri making a rare start.
The Uruguayan looked like he was about to score a tap-in in the fourth minute of the game but Alphonso Davies got back at the last second to deny a certain goal with Christian Eriksen’s rebound shot saved.
As has often been the case this season, United started well but defensively they continue to be incredibly suspect.
André Onana will have to take the blame for this when he let Leroy Sané’s effort from the edge of the area somehow get past him
It was 2-0 to Bayern just four minutes later. Jamal Musiala’s magic set up Sèrge Gnabry to fire a shot into the far corner.
The visitors pulled one back after the break and it was a first Manchester United goal for Ramus Højlund on his Champions League debut when his deflected effort found its way past goalkeeper Sven Ulreich.
But when things aren’t going your way, they really don’t go your way. After a VAR check, Christian Eriksen’s handball meant a penalty was awarded to the Bavarians. There was like the Danish midfielder could do about it and it was exactly the kind of call that wouldn’t have been given in the Premier League.
There were no doubts when Harry Kane stepped up to take the spot kick with the England captain firing his shot low into the bottom left corner.
Bayern should have been home and dry a few minutes later when Musiala again mesmerised and fed the ball into Sané whose effort rebounded off the post.
The last six minutes of the game gave us three goals. First, Casemiro pulled one back to make it 3-2 in the 88th minute but if there was any hope of a comeback that was quickly nipped in the bud by Mathys Tel’s strike.
Finally, in the fourth minute of stoppage time Casemiro then got his head on a Bruno Fernandes free-kick to make it 4-3 but it was too little, too late for Manchester United.
Scoring three goals at the Allianz Arena is a silver lining for Erik ten Hag and his team but the way they conceded goals – particularly the first one – will cause concern.
The result means that after the first round of games, Bayern top group A with United at the bottom after the early game between Galatasaray and København ended 2-2 in Turkey.
xG: Bayern Munich (2.54) 4-3 (1.89) Manchester United
Opening with a 𝐖 🙌
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) September 20, 2023
♦️ #FCBMUN 4-3 (FT) ♦️ pic.twitter.com/jwqBW0pivy
4-3 | ||
Leroy Sané 28' Sèrge Gnabry 32' Harry Kane 53' (pen.) Mathys Tel 90' | Rasmus Højlund 49' Casemiro 88' 90' |
