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Manchester United's 2023 Champions League campaign was marked by a dramatic downfall, resulting in one of their worst performances in the tournament's history.
With only four points from six matches and losses to Copenhagen and Galatasaray causing Manchester United to finish last in UEFA Champions League Group A, the Red Devils endured arguably their worst campaign in the competition’s history.
The Red Devils set several unwanted records thanks to their ill-fated run in the 2023/24 Champions League, including becoming the first Premier League side to concede 15 goals in the group stage of the competition.
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But what went wrong with Manchester United in the UCL that eventually saw the side that finished third in the Premier League last season fail to make any headway in what was supposed to be a relatively straightforward group?
Red Devil’s Promising Start and Rapid Decline
Manchester United's Champions League journey began with a sense of optimism but quickly descended into a series of disappointments.
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Initial matches against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena and Copenhagen at Old Trafford showed promise but were soon overshadowed by a string of underwhelming performances and tactical missteps.
The Rashford Setback
A significant turning point in the campaign was the loss of Marcus Rashford due to an early sending-off in a 4-3 loss to Copenhagen and subsequent injuries and suspension, particularly impacting the crucial match against Bayern Munich.
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Rashford, who was Manchester United’s top scorer last season, was crucially missed, especially against Bayern Munich in the final game, as his offensive capabilities were crucial to United's European aspirations.
Casemiro and Varane: The Unfulfilled Potential
Casemiro's journey mirrored that of the team's overall misfortune. His red card and injuries hindered his ability to contribute effectively.
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The Brazilian’s former Real Madrid teammate Raphael Varane's underutilization raised questions about Ten Hag’s tactical decisions, with his experience wasted on the bench in key games contributing to the team's struggles.
Goalkeeping Woes with Onana
Andre Onana, brought in to strengthen Manchester United’s backline, ended up contributing to the team's downfall with several critical mistakes.
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His errors in key matches exemplified a campaign marred by individual mistakes and defensive vulnerabilities.
Tactical Misjudgments and Inability to Close Games
United's tactical approach often proved ineffective against better-prepared teams, particularly in maintaining leads in crucial matches.
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The team's inability to secure victories from very advantageous positions was a recurring theme throughout the campaign.
They lost their leads in three of six matches, with the loss to Copenhagen coming after the Red Devils had taken a two-goal lead.
The Final Blow: Bayern Munich Knocking Out Manchester United
In what was already a tumultuous Champions League campaign, Manchester United's hopes were hinged on a crucial match against Bayern Munich, which they went on to lose in front of their fans.
Bayern Munich, known for their formidable presence in European football, proved to be an insurmountable challenge for United. The loss to Bayern not only symbolised the end of United's journey in the 2023/24 Champions League but also marked the campaign as their worst in the history of the tournament.
Scoring efforts overshadowed by defensive frailties
Despite scoring a commendable number of goals, Manchester United's defensive issues and inability to secure points in crucial moments overshadowed their offensive achievements.
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Of the 32 teams to take part in the group stage of this season’s Champions League, only minnows Royal Antwerp conceded more goals than Manchester United’s 15 goals, with the Belgians letting in 17.
Thanks to their shambolic defending, Manchester United finished the group stage with a negative goal difference despite scoring as many goals as Bayern Munich, who topped the group.
Manchester United’s death by missed opportunities
Manchester United's 2023 Champions League campaign will be remembered as a series of missed opportunities marred by key player absences, underperformance, and tactical errors. The combination of these factors led to one of the team's most disappointing performances in recent European history.
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