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Manchester United’s Champions League Aspirations Torn To Shreds By RB Leipzig

By Travis Yoesting December 8, 2020
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The Red Devils just needed a draw. They couldn’t do it.
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All Manchester United needed was a draw against a team it beat by five just two months ago. That was too much to ask and now the Red Devils have crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage.

RB Leipzig jumped out early and held off a late charge to claim a memorable 3-2 victory at Red Bull Arena on Tuesday night to claim its spot in the Round of 16. 

With United, Leipzig and PSG all tied on nine points heading into Tuesday, the Manchester club knew with its 5-0 win over Leipzig at Old Trafford in October it just needed a draw to advance. But Julian Nagelsmann’s side blitzed the Red Devils from the opening whistle, scoring less than two minutes in and adding a second in the 13th. 

Group H was thrown into disarray shortly after Leipzig took a 2-0 lead when the match in Paris between PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir was suspended in the first half after the fourth official was alleged to have made racist remarks to a Basaksehir assistant coach. Regardless of that result, however, PSG will go through thanks to its head-to-head advantage over United.

Manchester United staged a late comeback thanks to a Charmin-soft penalty, but Tyler Adams and RB Leipzig did just enough to hang on for the win. Leipzig could win Group H if PSG fails to beat Basaksehir when that match is completed on Wednesday. (PSG would claim top spot with a win thanks to its away goals advantage over Leipzig in head-to-head competition.)

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Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side will have to console itself with what will probably be a win over Arsenal in the Europa League final next year. 

RB Leipzig vs Man United Highlights

Former Manchester City wingback Angeliño kicked things off for the German club, smashing a low drive past David de Gea less than two minutes in.

Amadou Haidara made it two with a fine volley off a cross from Angeliño just over 12 minutes into the match.

United was fortunate not to trail 4-0 at halftime, as Leipzig had a goal called back for offside and Emil Forsberg missed wide from six yards. 

It looked all but over in the 69th minute. While Nagelsmann could’ve brought on defensive reinforcements, he instead opted for striker Yussuf Poulsen and winger Justin Kluivert. The decision proved prophetic as Kluivert scored what was eventually the match winner.

Manchester United was handed a lifeline in the 80th minute, and of course it came via a penalty kick.

Mason Greenwood flopped in the box, the referee bought it and Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot. There’s no way that’s a penalty for a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge, but to be fair Cristiano Ronaldo was given a penalty for the exact same thing against Barcelona on Tuesday.

The Red Devils made it a one-goal game two minutes later when Paul Pogba, brought on at the hour mark, headed home a corner kick. Initial replays made it appear as though the goal went in off Harry Maguire’s arm, but I think it was actually just a deflection off Maguire’s giant head.

United came close to tying the match a couple of times, with the English announcers nearly losing their minds over a potential comeback, but it was not to be. On the run of the play the 3-2 win was fully deserved by RB Leipzig, the surprise Group H winner. 

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