Manchester United’s Champions League return ended in disappointment as Harry Kane struck from the spot for Bayern Munich in an entertaining 4-3 win kicked off by Andre Onana’s clanger.
The European heavyweights are at very different stages right now, with the perennial Bundesliga champions second favourites to win a competition that the Red Devils did not even feature in last season.
Absentee-hit United began brightly enough at the Allianz Arena, only for Serge Gnabry to score shortly after former Manchester City forward Leroy Sane’s effort squirmed past summer signing Onana.
Rasmus Hojlund netted his first goal for the club but Kane quickly slammed home a penalty, with Casemiro scoring either side of Mathys Tel’s stoppage-time strike as the Red Devils suffered a fourth defeat in five matches.
Player ratings
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Bayern Munich ratings: Brilliant early save at his near post to deny Eriksen. Decisive punch clear on 10 minutes. Another sharp save from Rashford. Perhaps could have done better for Hojlund goal and possibly even Casemiro’s second. Getty -
Showed lots of attacking intent down the right flank, flashing dangerous balls into the United box. Nice early lofted pass for Sane to break into the area. Not so good defensively as Rashford had the beating of him more than once. EPA -
Commanding presence in the Bayern backline. Showed pace and clever reading of the game to snuff out a break by Rashford just before half time. Denied him space out wide again on the hour. Pretty much had the United forward in his pocket. AP -
Some solid defensive clearing headers. Good work to deny Fernandes in the area just after the break. Maybe could have done more to prevent Hojlund’s goal. Generally tidy and efficient. Getty -
Pace to burn. Superbly timed tackle at the back post to prevent an almost certain goal early on. His speed allowed him to snuff out the pacy Pellistri more than once and then he matched Rashford in a foot race late on. Getty -
Sound job doing the nuts an bolts tasks, winning possession and setting Bayern on the front foot with his unfussy distribution. Reuters -
Didn't have a huge impact on the game. Wasted a chance to open up the United defence on the edge of the box when he fluffed a pass on 18 minutes. PA -
A constant threat with his pace and direct running. Put Bayern ahead with a shot that Onana made a total hash of. Curling strike after a great run on the stroke of half time. Hit the post with a lovely shot on the run and then had another dipping effort that was well saved by Onana. Reuters -
A defender's nightmare, running at them with pace and control from all angles. Brilliant surge into the area and assist for Gnabry’s second goal for Bayern. Almost scored from a lightning Bayern break just after Hojlund’s goal. Fantastic jinking run to set up a Sane chance. Top player. PA -
Fairly quiet until he doubled Bayern’s lead with a crisp finish just after the half-hour. Some threatening runs before he was replaced by Coman on the hour. Getty -
His first involvement was a solid clearing header at a corner as United pressed forward early in the game. Great threaded ball into the box for Musiala. Clinical finish from the spot for Bayern’s third goal. Some clever link-up play. Thumping shot saved by Onana on the hour. Settling in nicely. PA -
Subs: (Gnabry 63’) Looked dangerous when he came on with his pace and running angles. Clean strike saved by Onana. Getty -
(Musiala 74’) Well-struck shot forced an excellent save from Onana. Could have placed his shot better when the United keeper saved in the 82nd minute. Loose pass on the attack almost allowed United to break clear. AP -
(for Sane 87’) Devastating cameo as he showed superb control and a clinical finish to score Bayern’s fourth and kill off the game. PA -
(Kane 87') - Little chance to make any impact. PA -
Manchester United ratings: Advanced as he struck long balls into wide attacking positions, but made a terrible mistake to let Bayern ahead on 28. That was soon 2-0 as United’s bright start was blown apart. Couldn’t stop Kane’s penalty, but saved well from him on 61 and Sane two minutes later. Further saves from Coman and Choupo-Moting, but the damage was done. Getty -
Started well, attacking through the middle, but then couldn’t stop Musiala’s run to set up the second. Tackled Choupo-Moting to stop him shooting on 79. AP -
A tough night for the central defender against Kane in front of the 75,000 crowd. United keep losing games because of lapses. PA -
Saved United after 21 minutes in one of the rare times Bayern had success attacking through the middle early in the game, but then reverted to the poor form of this season so far. Booked. EPA -
Easily United’s best player as he linked up well with Rashford in United’s encouraging start. He also crossed and tackled well, running across the pitch to stop Sane. Powerful when attacking. PA -
Scored two late goals, yet easily beaten by the superb Musiala in the lead to Bayern’s second. Shook his head after 74 minutes – as well he might. He’s suffered an alarming drop in form since last season. PA -
Lost the ball in the middle which led to an attack and a corner. He handled the ball and the penalty meant Bayern’s third. It was a harsh decision against the Dane, who could do nothing to stop the ball hitting his arm. EPA -
A huge decision to start the Uruguayan for only the second time. Ran towards the far post but couldn’t meet a 34th-minute cross. Up against Davies, who was a major threat. Faded. Reuters -
Determined start, yet lost the ball in key positions. Dropped back when McTominay replaced Eriksen. Spun the ball towards goal which Casemiro headed in for the third. AP -
On it from the start and had the beating of full-back Laimer, though he seldom beat him. Helped keep United narrow and was always available out wide. Set Hojlund up for United’s first, but still hit and miss in a side that is the same. PA -
The new striker worked hard and was rewarded with his first United goal straight after half time, a low shot deflected in. Brought off soon after. Getty -
Subs: (Eriksen 68') Went straight up in a No 10 position. Getty -
(Pellistri 80'). United got two late goals with him on the pitch. EPA -
(Hojlund 80'). Worked well. PA
