United's Euro dream ends with a whimper

Jeers rang around Old Trafford on Tuesday as Manchester United suffered an embarrassing early exit from the Champions League after a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich.

Kingsley Coman's 70th-minute goal ended the three-time European Cup winner's slim chances of advancing to the knockout stage and delivered a fresh blow in an ever-worsening season for United manager Erik ten Hag.

The 12th defeat in all competitions this season meant United could not even secure the safety net of a place in the Europa League after finishing bottom of Group A.

"The facts are we do not have enough points, we are disappointed as a group, as a manager, I am disappointed. We should have done better," Ten Hag said.

Copenhagen advanced to the round of 16 behind group winner Bayern after beating Galatasaray 1-0. That result meant even a United win would not have seen it advance to the next stage.

An injury to Harry Maguire only added to Ten Hag's concerns ahead of Sunday's Premier League game at leader Liverpool, with the pressure mounting on the Dutchman.

United never looked like getting the win it needed after registering just one shot on target — a long-range effort from Luke Shaw — in the entire match. And fans made their feelings known as the final whistle blew on another disappointing night for Ten Hag's team, while Bayern supporters reveled in taunting their rivals.

"Sometimes you feel pretty lonely as a coach," Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel said.

It was only the second time that United has finished bottom of its Champions League group and the third occasion it has failed to advance to the knockout stage in seven attempts since former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

A record of 15 goals conceded in the group stage is the most by any Premier League team in the competition's history, according to Opta stats.

The odds had always been stacked against United after managing just one win in the group going into its final game.

Ten Hag's team had to end Bayern's tournament-record 39-game unbeaten run in the group stage and still hope for a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray to take the runner-up spot.

Dismal run

The Red Devils have lost 12 of their opening 24 games of the season — a run that has also ended their defense of the League Cup and sees them sitting in sixth place in the Premier League.

It is just the fourth time an English club has finished bottom of a Champions League group.

Only Manchester City, in 2012, has ever taken fewer points than the four United managed in Group A.

The real damage was not done against Bayern, who was able to coast to victory despite having already qualified before its trip to England.

When the draw was made, many saw United cruising through along with the German champion.

"It's a huge club and not what you expect when you see the group," said Bayern boss Tuchel. "You immediately expect Man United is challenging to win the group."

But the three-time European champion won just one of four meetings against Copenhagen and Galatasaray, conceding 11 goals in the process. In both away games, United let two-goal leads slip away.

"To score three goals in each of their away games and not come away with many points, it's criminal," former United defender Rio Ferdinand told TNT Sports. "You get what you deserve. If you're not clinical or you can't close matches out."

However, there was no such threat on Tuesday as United mustered just one shot on target — a long-range effort early on from Shaw that was easily saved by Manuel Neuer.

"I think it was a frightened performance more than anything," said ex-United midfielder Paul Scholes.

"There was such a lack of a goal threat."

Tough Christmas

After a promising first season in charge, Ten Hag's tenure at Old Trafford is unraveling in its second year.

The former Ajax boss is struggling to battle the combination of an injury crisis, underperforming star names and reported dressing-room unrest.

Worse could yet come before the end of the year for Ten Hag as his beleaguered side visits Liverpool and West Ham before hosting Premier League surprise package Aston Villa over the Christmas period.

Shaw and Maguire had to be replaced due to injuries, adding to a lengthy list of key absences.

Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro missed the majority of the Champions League campaign.

Marcus Rashford was also unavailable against Bayern, but had been dropped by Ten Hag of late due to his miserable form.

"Why did this happen?" Ten Hag added. "We are losing players and losing players who are very decisive.

"In many games it was the case in this campaign that we didn't have players available. That is a reason, but not an excuse."

The decision to pursue the potential of Rasmus Hojlund instead of launching a bid for Harry Kane in the summer transfer window looks ever more questionable.

Kane failed to add to his 22 goals in his debut season at Bayern on Tuesday, but the England captain was still influential as his pass set up Coman's winner.

Hojlund is yet to score in the Premier League and has netted just once in his last 13 appearances.

However, Ten Hag called on the young Dane and the rest of his side to learn from a chastening Champions League experience and make sure they are back in the competition next season.

"There are still many things to play for. Now we can focus on the Premier League," added Ten Hag.

"This is the level we want to play, the Champions League, so we have to give every effort to be in the top four so that next year we are back in the Champions League."

Agencies