RB Leipzig 3, Manchester United 2 (UEFA Champions League Group H)
Manchester United were dumped out of the Champions League after they were beaten 3-2 away at RB Leipzig in their final group game of the 2020/21 season.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnited will play in the Europa League next year after the shock defeat to last season’s semi finalists despite almost clawing their way back to parity from 3-0 down after 80 minutes.
The Reds had enjoyed 5 consecutive comebacks to win in the Premier League this term but against a team of RB Leipzig’s strength they paid for another lacklustre start to finish third in the group on 9 points.
The build-up to the game had been less than ideal, with Mino Raiola – the outspoken agent of Paul Pogba – declaring that his client was “unhappy” and would seek to leave United in the next transfer window.
The timing was as terrible as their start as United – playing three at the back – threw all of their plans in the bin when their hosts raced into a 2-0 lead within a matter of minutes.
Angelino, on loan from Manchester City, opened the scoring after two minutes with a low shot inside the back post and went on to provide the assist for Amadou Haidara to volley home the German’s second after just 13 minutes.
The shambles at the back for United continued as Willi Orban had a goal ruled out by VAR after 29 minutes and the Reds had to make tactical changes to abandon the 3 man back line.
The reprieve was short-lived as Justin Kluivert chipped home the crucial third after 69 minutes after Bruno Fernandes had struck the crossbar with a free kick.
With 10 minutes to go Fernandes handed United hope from the penalty spot after Mason Greenwood was fouled by Ibrahima Konate.
And there was a real chance of another stunning comeback when Pogba – on as a substitute – bundled home a scruffy second for United two minutes later.
This would ordinarily have been the cue for one almighty effort from the Reds to get the equaliser that would take them into the knockout stages but the Germans held on to top the group.
PSG game against Istanbul Basaksehir to be continued tomorrow
The United defeat was arguably not even the biggest shock of the group on the night after the both sets of players in the Paris Saint Germain game against Istanbul Basaksehir walked off in protest at claims of racist language allegedly used by the Romanian fourth official at one of Besaksehir’s back room staff.
Pierre Webo – a former Cameroon international – was sent to the stand after 14 minutes of the game and both sets of players walked off in unison after heated discussions on the touchline.
The game will be played to completion starting from the 14th minute tomorrow at 5.55pm GMT with a new set of officials although PSG know they have qualified after the result in Leipzig.