Manchester United’s European campaign is over after Kingsley Coman fired already-qualified Bayern Munich to a victory that meant Erik ten Hag’s men finished bottom of their Champions League group.
A wild, error-strewn continental group stage left the Red Devils’ last-16 hopes hanging by a thread, with progress only possible if they beat the German champions at Old Trafford and Copenhagen and Galatasaray drew.
But the Danes’ victory and Coman’s finish from a smart Harry Kane pass in a 1-0 Bayern win saw toothless United’s hopes of a Champions League miracle go up in smoke as the curtain came down on Group A.
The loss also meant Ten Hag’s side missed out on the consolation prize of Europa League qualification, with this just the fourth time a Premier League side has finished bottom of their Champions League group.
United had restricted Thomas Tuchel’s men to half-chances during the opening period at Old Trafford, where the hosts’ injury list increased as Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw picked up issues just before the break.
The reshuffled backline looked far more solid than during Saturday’s 3-0 humiliation at home to Bournemouth but still could not stop Bayern from running out victorious.
Coman was a livewire throughout his time on the pitch and Kane, a long-term United target, brilliantly played him in to beat Andre Onana as the hosts bowed out of Europe before Christmas.
United mustered just one shot on target in a must-win match that is followed by Sunday’s Premier League trip to rivals Liverpool. There were boos at the final whistle once again.
Man United v Bayern player ratings
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MAN UNITED RATINGS: Tonight wasn’t the problem. Conceding 14 in the first five games was, though United wouldn’t have won a single game had he not made important saves against Copenhagen. Could do little for the Bayern goal. EPA -
Aggressively got forward from the start and better in defending. Shifted to left-back for the second half. Ran through in one limp 72nd minute attack. Getty -
Recalled for a huge game and twice headed Bayern crosses away after 12 minutes. Calm at this level, though United’s man-marking defenders makes the team easy to play against. He should’ve been a key player this season. EPA -
Intercepted an 18th minute Bayern attack and was doing fine until he pulled his groin on 39 minutes. Applauded by supporters as he left the field. More injury misery for United as things go from bad to worse. EPA -
United are better with him as left-back. His rocket shot was punched away by Neuer on 23 minutes – yes, one United player did have an effort on goal. Coman was a handful for him, too. Off injured at half time. Like Maguire, another shame. Getty -
Neat, tidy and effective as he covered his spaces well. That was the first half. Nowhere for Sane’s goal in the second. Booked. EPA -
Peripheral. Just 43 touches. Not that United were effective in possession. Getty -
Hit a shot well over on four minutes, then surged forward minutes later, nutmegging Kim Min-jae. Won the ball back to stop a 31st minute Bayern attack. Booked. AP -
More shots than any United player, not that any went near the goal. Defended well, but had a fine chance on 48 minutes, which he wasted. The agonised expression on manager Erk ten Hag’s face said it all. He’s the captain of the ship in a season which is sinking. EPA -
Bright – and busy – start against Sane. Pressed hard, full of energy, held onto the ball too much at times. AP -
Isolated. Worked hard. A rural rail line has better service on a Sunday. Onana had double the number of touches as Hojlund. Getty -
SUBS: (On for Maguire, 39') - Did nothing wrong. Getty -
(On for Shaw, 45') - Straight to right-back as a half-time introduction, where he cut a lovely ball back to Fernandes on 48 minutes and cut out a Bayern attack on 52 minutes. Getty -
(On for Garnacho, 73') - Worked hard. Getty -
(On for Antony, 73') - Like the rest of his teammates, he failed to get much out of Bayern. Getty -
(On for Varane, 79') - Champions League experience for the youngster. PA -
BAYERN MUNICH RATINGS: The eccentric keeper barely had anything to do on an evening in which the Red Devils struggled in front of goal. AFP -
The Canadian’s pace was evident for all to see and while he wasn’t the main attraction , he held his own down the left flank. Getty -
Kim’s no-nonsense approach led to him saving the day for Bayern at the back with some really crucial interceptions and tackles. Getty -
Had good spatial awareness, a strong physical presence and made some key challenges in a really strong outing. Getty -
Had a solid enough display in the first half but was perhaps one of the weaker links, as evidenced by his substitution at half time. AP -
Fought hard in the lead up to Coman's goal and kept things at a calm pace in the middle of the park. AP -
This was a game to forget for the midfielder as he was sloppy in possession, poor in attack and generally far too conservative. AFP -
The trickster needs to improve in the final third after a game where he was outshone by those around him. PA -
He carried the ball confidently, carved through the United defence on several occasions and never stopped chasing the hosts down. PA -
It was a night to remember for Coman as his exceptional passing ability was matched by a composed finish to win the game. Getty -
Bayern’s talisman held the ball up well, had good distribution and provided the assist for Coman’s goal. Getty -
SUBS: It was an effective display from Laimer as he kept things simple, rarely put a foot wrong and looked pretty efficient at the back. PA -
The savvy forward showed great movement off the ball as always, and his veteran instincts led to some positive passages of play. Getty -
Only had a few minutes on the pitch as he helped Bayern ride things out and pick up all three points. PA -
The youngster was active and hungry but ultimately, didn’t make too much of an impact. PA
