He is never going to change, is he?
Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund both bent double when the full-time whistle blew at Old Trafford. Spent and beaten, again.
United lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich to exit not only the Champions League but, while they were at it, the Europa League. For some United fans, finishing fourth and missing out on the second-tier competition may be a relief. Right now, and for a lot of this season, they have been a hard watch.
The first half against the Germans saw United press high and try put the visitors under pressure. They created no clear-cut chances but restricted Bayern to a Leroy Sané miss, at the back post. By the time the second half began, United had lost Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw to injury.
The second half was an even tougher watch. Alejandro Garnacho huffed and puffed, at least, but Antony was a disaster zone, over on the other wing. It is staggering to think United would not dig £100m deep for Harry Kane or Declan Rice, but have laid out £80m for Antony and £72m for Rasmus Hojlund. The Dane is getting putrid service but was completely bossed by Dayot Upamecano tonight.
Bruno Fernandes missed the best two of the half-chances United chiselled out, but his most infuriating moments of the match arrived 25 seconds and five seconds before the Bayern winner.
The United captain, for some perplexing reason, ended up in the right-back area and was arguing for a throw-in that looked like it should be Bayern’s. The Germans got the throw and Fernandes was still complaining to anyone who would listen as the next attack unfolded.
Watching the moment – the United captain getting distracted and lost in another stupid rant, as the opposition played on – one would not have been surprised if the team conceded again. Sure enough, 25 seconds later, it was 1-0. Fernandes had a scratchy part to play in that, still.
All in all, it was pitiful. The following players either pulled out of tackles or were easily bypassed:
- Sofyan Amrabat
- Scott McTominay
- Rasmus Hojlund
- Bruno Fernandes
- Jonny Evans
And then there was Andrè Onana, planted to his goal-line and flinching again – nearly falling over – before Coman buried the ball. The Cameroon international continues a debut season littered with unconvincing moments and goal-gifting errors.
The goal that officially ends Manchester United's European hopes? ⚽️
Kingsley Coman strolls through the middle of the United defence to give Bayern Munich the lead 💥#UCL pic.twitter.com/vUj9dM3qmt
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2023
Bruno Fernandes to miss next game
Bruno Fernandes was not the worst Manchester United player on show, tonight – Antony took that ripe prize, with Amrabat not far behind. It is no less exasperating to see him continuing to complain and crib as the opposition run amok against his midfield.
There was a damning statistic shared as the game played on to its’ dregs and the Bayern supporters mocked their hosts – Harry Kane now has the same amount of assists at Old Trafford, this season, as their most creative player.
Fernandes misses Sunday’s league trip to Anfield and Erik ten Hag will have to rely on some younger players, and misfits, to try get a result and table-topping Liverpool.
Related links:
- Manchester United linked with three left-field January transfers, as Liverpool eye Palhinha
- “It’s unforgivable” – Gary Neville on ‘biggest betrayal’ at Manchester United right now
- Quiz: Name the 20 players to make the most Premier League appearances
- Gus Poyet firmly throws his name into the hat for Irish managerial role
- Costly Liverpool suspension offers Manchester United glimpse of different future
