“Crazy game of football”, “Can’t blame Ronaldo, De Gea, or Sancho” – Twitter erupts as Manchester United loses to Bayern Munich in a UCL thriller.
“Crazy game of football”, “Can’t blame Ronaldo, De Gea, or Sancho” – Twitter erupts as Manchester United loses to Bayern Munich in a UCL thriller.
Manchester United’s poor start to the season continued on Wednesday (September 20) with a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in a Champions League classic.
Erik ten Hag’s men got off to a fairly good start at the Allianz Arena. In the fourth minute, Facundo Pellistri came near on his debut start, but Bayern cleared their lines. In the 17th minute, Marcus Rashford was denied by Bavarian goalkeeper Sven Ulreich.
Manchester United’s strong start, though, came to an abrupt halt in the 28th minute. Goalkeeper Andre Onana spilled Leroy Sane’s long-range drive, and the ball drifted into his net. Ten Hag’s new No. 1 goalkeeper was atrocious.
The Bundesliga winners went up 2-0 in the 32nd minute, thanks to sloppy defence by Ten Hag’s players. Serge Gnabry had hardly used a touch before, but he conjured up a flawless one to steer the ball into the far bottom corner with Onana glued to the spot.
Ten Hag must have gotten something into his players at halftime, for they came out early and huddled in intense conversation. That team chat seemed to motivate them, and in the 49th minute, they gave themselves hope.
Rasmus Hojlund scored his first goal for Manchester United after brilliant play from Marcus Rashford found the Dane. His left-footed shot was deflected off Kim Min-jae and past Ulreich.
Just two minutes later, though, there was drama when Dayot Upamecano’s attempted cross was stopped by Christian Eriksen’s arm. The Dane was in close proximity to the French defender, but VAR instructed Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
In the 53rd minute, a penalty was granted, and Harry Kane, who had been very quiet by his norms, stepped up and shot past Onana. Bayern then struck the post twice, and Onana made a wonderful save to prevent Eric Choupo-Moting’s rocket into the top corner.
It was then United’s time to claw their way back into the contest. After good work from Rashford and Anthony Martial, Casemiro finished well. In the 88th minute, the Red Devils had a chance to win the game.
However, the Bavarians extended their lead once again in the last quarter, and it was the goal of the night from teenager Mathys Tel. Four minutes later, the French forward slammed the ball into the roof of Onana’s net.
Manchester United didn’t stop there, as Casemiro scored twice on his 100th Champions League appearance. In the 90+5th minute, the Brazilian guided Bruno Fernandes’ powerful strike home.
But it was too late for Ten Hag’s team, who lost their third consecutive defeat. They displayed more battling spirit than many expected, but they are still at the bottom of Group A after the first encounter.
The thriller at the Allianz Arena captivated one fan:
“A crazy game of football in Munich… United fans can take solace in the fact that the outcome was respectable.”
Another fan told Ten Hag that he cannot blame Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea, or Jadon Sancho:
“The cretin realized he couldn’t blame Ronaldo, De Gea, or Sancho.”
Here’s how fans on X (previously Twitter) responded to the two European titans’ wild clash:
Rasmus Hojlund scored his first goal for Manchester United, which thrilled Rio Ferdinand.
Hojlund’s score offered Manchester United a glimmer of hope before a frantic finish to a thrilling Champions League clash between the two clubs. As a Red Devil, the Dane was making his debut in Europe’s best club tournament.
Rio Ferdinand was overjoyed for the 20-year-old and believes his goal will help him progress. He stated to TNT Sports:
“I am delighted for him, because when you come into a new club of this size for the fee he signed for… he will take something from this game, confidence.”
Hojlund joined Manchester United from Atalanta in the summer for a fee of £72 million. He is the most expensive U21 signing in the club’s history.
