- The Manchester club had gotten through the group stage almost entirely from goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo at the death of matches, but they could only ever carry this side so far.
- Against a lesser side the Red Devils could have gotten away with it but against opponents like these, on days like this. It was just not good enough.
- In a season of lows for the Red Devils, this may very well be their lowest!
- With Ralf Rangnick’s men now out of the Champions League, attention now turns to securing a top 4 spot in the Premier League where consistency will be essential especially with Arsenal in fine form and with several games in hand.
Atletico Madrid knocked Man United out of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, beating the English club 1-0 on Tuesday.
After a drab 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the first leg, a win at Old Trafford was needed for the Mancunian side to progress to the quarter-finals.
The Manchester club had gotten through the group stage almost entirely from goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo at the death of matches, but they could only ever carry this side so far.
A subpar performance
A typical Diego Simeone inspired performance proved the undoing of a Manchester United side that proved bereft of ideas and lacking the cuteness to navigate a two legged European tie and as has been seen throughout the season; an encouraging first half performance was then followed by a jaded second half display.
Against a lesser side the Red Devils could have gotten away with it but against opponents like these, on days like this. It was just not good enough.
In a season of lows for the Red Devils, this may very well be their lowest!
Referee controversy and the way forward
While many a United faithful will argue that the referee on the day, Slavko Vincic did them no favors.
There is little doubt that performance across the two legs and even throughout their Champions League journey deservedly sees the Red devils out of the competition.
In the aftermath, David De Gea admitted to BT Sport that these are trying times for the Mancunian club. “Of course, it’s hard for the club, for us, for the fans, really hard. This is where we are at the moment, it’s a difficult situation.
He however insisted that the club band together and “… keep fighting, keep trying our best, but it’s a difficult moment again.
“I feel sad for the fans and for everyone. We are not good enough.”
With Ralf Rangnick’s men now out of the Champions League, attention now turns to securing a top 4 spot in the Premier League where consistency will be essential especially with Arsenal in fine form and with several games in hand.
Festus Oppong Kwabena Asante
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