VfL Wolfsburg 3 - 2 Man Utd
09.12.2015 17:30
Manchester United were eliminated from the Champions League in dramatic fashion by a late loss at Wolfsburg.
The Red Devils made an ideal start when Anthony Martial caressed Juan Mata's pinpoint pass into the bottom corner.
Wolfsburg replied within three minutes through Naldo's sharp volley and led when Vieirinha finished a flowing move.
United thought they were through after Josuha Guilavogui's own goal, only to be condemned to the Europa League through Naldo's late header.
Madchester's night of Euro madness
Louis van Gaal's side knew they would qualify for the last 16 by beating Wolfsburg, or if they matched PSV Eindhoven's result against CSKA Moscow.
Twice inside the final 15 minutes, United thought they were progressing at the expense of the Dutch side, who needed to better United's result to advance.
CSKA led 1-0 in Eindhoven as United also trailed, before both PSV and United were briefly level in their respective games.
But late winners for Wolfsburg and PSV, who won 2-1, knocked out Van Gaal's team.
United's late misery was a stark contrast to Manchester City, who saw fortune swing back in their favour as their neighbours unravelled.
Five goals were netted inside six minutes across the two games, with City coming back to win 4-2 against Borussia Monchengladbach and pip Juventus to win Group D.
That means the Blues will avoid the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the last 16, while the Red Devils face the prospect of Europa League football in the New Year.
Excitement, but an exit
Van Gaal has been criticised by some Red Devils supporters for his pragmatic, defence-minded approach - United were booed off after Saturday's 0-0 draw with West Ham at Old Trafford, the fifth time in nine matches they had failed to score.
However, United freed the shackles and produced an entertaining display in Germany, yet it was one that ultimately led to their exit from Europe's premier club competition.
Martial settled any early United nerves by racing on to Juan Mata's perfectly-weighted through ball, taking a touch before coolly sliding past Wolfsburg keeper Diego Benaglio.
Van Gaal's side continued to create chances throughout the match, only to see Benaglio brilliantly stop Fellaini's first-half header and Memphis Depay's far-post volley after the break.
Fellaini's height caused problems at the corner which led to Wolfsburg midfielder Guilavogui flicking into his own net, but United were undone by their own defensive deficiencies.
(BBC)
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