Defeat for United

By Chris O'Brien
September 22 2023

Manchester United scored three goals in Munich - but still suffered defeat in their Champions League opening fixture against German champions Bayern.

United started brightly, giving the travelling Red Army hope that - despite back-to-back league defeats - they could get their continental campaign off to a positive start.

However, the momentum was derailed after a shocking error from Andre Onana helped the hosts break the deadlock. Leroy Sane's shot slipped under the goalkeeper - though he deserves credit for accepting responsibility for the result after the game.

An emboldened Bayern quickly doubled their advantage through Serge Gnabry, but United battled back after the interval as Rasmus Hojland scored his first goal for the club to lease new life into the contest. 

However, the wind was soon taken from United's sails as a Harry Kane penalty restored Bayern's lead only four minutes later, after a VAR decision harshly adjusted Christian Eriksen to have handled the ball.

Casemiro got United back into the game again on 88 minutes - but there was to be no grandstand finish as woeful, slack Red Devils defending allowed Mathys Tel to make it 4-2.

Bruno Fernandes' free-kick was brilliantly nodded home by Casemiro, but it was too late and Glenn Nyberg brought an end to proceedings only seconds later.

United have now lost three on the spin - and must surely arrest the decline at Lancastrian rivals Burnley on Saturday. Erik ten Hag's men play four domestic games before their next Champions League encounter, at home to Galatasaray - themselves buoyed by a late comeback to draw 2-2 with Copenhagen.

Bayern return to Bundesliga action against VfL Bochum on Saturday - where former United target Harry Kane will be looking to add to the five goals he's bagged so far for his new employers. 

Some positives for United going forward - but question marks remain over United's new goalkeeper and the defence. Ten Hag's men have not kept a clean sheet until 14 August, and conceded 14 goals in their last five matches. 

Full Time - Bayern Munich 4-3 Manchester United
Attendance - 75,000