Manchester United ousted by holders Bayern Munich – is their season over?
Mitchell Gunn-USA TODAY Sports
Manchester United’s European dreams are now over, ousted by current holders Bayern Munich 3-1 on the night an 4-2 on total aggregate. Despite United putting forth a fantastic defensive effort at Old Trafford in the first leg, Bayern have been by far the better side over the course of both legs.
On a night where United needed just one goal in Bavaria to have a chance of a shock progression to the semifinals, many supporters sought refuge in the knowledge that the German giants have struggled against English opposition at home, coupled with the fact that Bayern are known to give up more goals at home than on the road on account of their desire to put on a show for the fans.
From the first minute onward, tactical knowledge of the match was confirmed – Bayern would maintain the lions share of possession, while United would hope to hit the Germans on the break, just as they did in the first leg. In truth, the tactics were spot on as United would never hope to outplay the Germans but merely hope to take their chances well.
United would go ahead in the 59th minute through a cracking half-volley by left back Patrice Evra to send Moyes and company into unrivaled joy – it would not last for long. Seventy-seven seconds afterwards, Bayern would draw level with a expert header by Mario Mandzukic and everyone’s worst fear came to pass, the sleeping Bavarian giant had woken up. For the duration of the match, United would be under siege from all angles and less than ten minutes after finding the equalizer, Bayern would go ahead 2-1 on the night when Thomas Muller slotted past David Ge Gea after a superbly places pass by Arjen Robben.
The flying Dutchman was not to be silenced in his own right as he had threatened United on their left flank time and time again and once Patrice Evra was booked, Robben would make him pay. In his preferred fashion, Robben danced in from the right along the 18-yard box before putting his deflected shot past De Gea in the 76th minute and it would spell curtains for Moyes’ Mancunian’s.
United’s lead on the night had been obliterated in less than twenty minutes and you just have to wonder if the Bavarian side were just happy to skirt by on the night without putting in a proper shift. After going down 1-0 they hit a new gear we did not se at any point on the night previously and United were powerless to stop them as if it was the British Expeditionary Force circa 1940. It cannot be ignored now, that with their European dreams over, United must press for finishing in a Europa League place, but it must be said that their dreams of Champions League football next season are over.
Despite his goal, Evra showed countless times over the course of the evening why so many supporters all calling for him to be axed from the club, with rumors swirling that Luke Shaw will be brought in during the summer as part of the massive rebuilding program in Manchester. Full credit to United for making it to the quarterfinals during their most trying time as a club in the memory of a large portion of their supporters, but it has to be said that Bayern are champions for a reason and on tonight’s evidence, many would see them the first club to repeat as Champions League winners in the history of the competition.
Will United bounce back domestically to solidify a European place next season or will their failure on the continent cause a ripple effect within the dressing room and cause complete capitulation is yet to be seen, but it goes without saying that their entire season is now on the line.