Tuesday, 05 November

'Bottom & rotten' - reaction as Man Utd go out of Champions League

Sports News
Man U out of Champions League

More from Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, speaking in the post-match news conference: "There is still many things to play for, now we can focus of course on the Premier League and this is I think the level we want to play Champions League so we have to give everything to be in the top four so next year we are back in the Champions League and of course we have the FA Cup."

On having one shot on target: "I think the game was like this, both sides less chances but I think there was a good intensity in the game and from our side we brought Bayern out of their rhythm, the defending organisation we did quite well if not very well, especially first part of second half where we had really good ball regains high up the pitch, also we had a very good chance from Bruno. So we had our moments but didn’t take them.

"I look to my team and we had the opportunities in games, in winning positions, we scored many goals so we have to see we gave it away sometimes by individual errors, not one player but more players, not every time the same so we gave opponents opportunities. We had very good spells so we have to do better but the fact is not enough points. We are disappointed. We should have done better."

Do anything differently? "But I think it is not only talking about the campaign you come to the same things so why did this happen, it is simple today we have to make subs and losing players and players who are very decisive for our game who can make the difference and in many games it was the case, in this campaign we had not always the players available we want. Now I give you a reason but don’t see it as an excuse, even when we are not all on board, we have to win for Manchester United."

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, asked if Harry Kane is the difference to win Champions League? "Harry is always a difference maker, 100 percent with his personality, his calmness, his quality, the team knows anything can happen in any minute with Harry, he is one of the top leaders in the group.

"Manchester United suffers from the injuries in the group, big players, big personalities and you can see that. We made it as head of the group into the last 16 and the full focus will be to go step by step.

Sympathy for Erik Ten Hag? "Almost always I feel sympathy for the other coach but we try everything to win matches, these are the goals of high level sports but of course I have sympathy, he has a lot of key players injured for a decisive match, they lack the personality and maybe the width to change games from the bench. It is not an easy time but I am pretty sure he knows what to do next and he does not need my advice or clapping on the shoulders, he is experienced enough to go through it. I had not a nice moment last Saturday and sometimes you feel pretty lonely as a coach

Surprised United bottom? "Yeah this is a huge club and not what you expect. In the group you expect also Manchester United challenging for the win of the group and a place in the round of 16 but in my experience I can tell you we had a difficult group.

"The matches were tight, the results were narrow so you could see everything was possible until today for Manchester United. In some of the matches games changed in a blink of an eye. They were comfortable in the lead in Istanbul and gave it away, they were comfortable in the lead in Copenhagen.

"It is a big club, they are a dangerous team"

Source: BBC