Champions League exit was no surprise – fans were resigned to it – and Erik ten Hag has much work to do to salvage the season
When Manchester United kicked off their Champions League campaign at Bayern Munich on 20 September, it was impossible to ignore the sense of foreboding. The season had started badly – three Premier League defeats in five – and the priority at the Allianz Arena was not, seemingly, to win or draw but to avoid humiliation.
The 4-3 defeat was a seven-goal thriller in name only, Bayern comfortable once in front, their superiority pronounced over a United team unable to fire in more than fits and starts. Still, it was not a disaster for United. They knew their Champions League progress would not rest on this tie.