OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’S tactical change backfired as Manchester United exited the Champions League tonight.
The Red Devils switched to a five-man defence before losing 3-2 to RB Leipzig in Germany.
Man Utd crashed out of the Champions League as they lost 3-2 to RB LeipzigCredit: Reuters
But did anyone play well during the heartbreaking defeat?
Or were all the performances deserving of a demotion to the Europa League?
Here are the Manchester United player ratings from SunSport’s Anthony Chapman…
DAVID DE GEA – 4
Beaten twice in the opening 13 minutes, it was never going to be an easy night for the Spaniard.
Never looked close to saving either effort and his body language suggested he’s seen too many of these collapses over the years.
Fell asleep for Leipzig’s third goal which killed off the game.
AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 4
Was at fault for Leipzig’s opener as he switched off when a ball was swung over his head from the opposite flank.
Looked uncomfortable as United’s right wing-back in a five-man defence as Angelino ran riot down Leipzig’s left.
But he fared little better when it changed to a back four after the break and was taken off with ten minutes left.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a poor game as the right wing-backCredit: Getty Images – Getty
VICTOR LINDELOF – 4
Did not appear confident and kept tight to Maguire instead of pushing out wide to force Wan-Bissaka up the pitch.
Found some self-belief after the break but was caught out for third goal with his body at a wrong angle.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 5
Had a very vocal night but all shouts were mainly directed at the referee rather than his team-mates.
Missed a sitter of a header with about 35 minutes left and will be wondering what could have been if he made contact.
Was then guilty of some shocking defending as United conceded a shambolic third.
LUKE SHAW – 5
Position was muddled as he drifted from left centre-back to midfield to the wing without clear intent or purpose.
Got a run at left-back in the second half and looked sharper but still couldn’t force a breakthrough.
Alex Telles was taken off at the break after struggling on the left flankCredit: Getty Images – Getty
ALEX TELLES – 4
Failed to track his man for Leipzig’s second after tucking in too much.
Ended first half playing high like a left winger but was given little support and was mostly forced into backwards passes rather than threatening crosses.
Solskjaer clearly wasn’t impressed and hooked him at half-time.
SCOTT McTOMINAY – 5
Put some work in as he chased the ball up and down the field.
Refused to give up as he tried going toe-to-toe with his midfield counterparts but was found lacking when it came to passing and pressing forward.
NEMANJA MATIC – 4
Watched the game pass him by in midfield as Leipzig cut off channels in the centre of the pitch.
Was a mile behind his team-mates trying to play the offside trap from defending a set piece when Leipzig broke clear to score a third.
But Matic had a very lucky escape as one man was fractionally offside, resulting in the strike being disallowed.
Bruno Fernandes pulled United back into the game with a penaltyCredit: Reuters
BRUNO FERNANDES – 6
Booked after four minutes but was United’s main outlet for any potential attacks.
Leipzig recognised this by giving Fernandes constant bodychecks whenever he was on the ball.
Hit the bar from a free-kick in the 68th minute and netted a late consolation penalty but failed to work his usual magic to make a real impact on the game.
MASON GREENWOOD – 4
Missed an early chance to equalise and get United back into the game.
Was sloppy with his passes too and failed to fill in for injured duo Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Looked isolated despite playing in a front two as United struggled to feed their forwards with passes.
Found confidence to embark on mazy dribbles in the second half but was missing a like-minded striker to help turn the runs into real threats.
Paul Pogba came off the bench to score a consolation secondCredit: AFP
SUBS
DONNY VAN DE BEEK – 6
Came on at half-time for Telles and made an immediate impact as he provided an extra body for United in the final third.
BRANDON WILLIAMS – 5
Replaced Shaw in the 60th minute but found the pace of the game too much to make an impact.
PAUL POGBA – 6
Was given 30 minutes in place of Matic and managed to pull back a second goal for United to give them a glimmer of hope late on.
AXEL TUANZEBE – N/A
Replaced Lindelof in the 80th minute but it was too little, too late for the centre-back.
TIMOTHY FOSU-MENSAH – N/A
On for Wan-Bissaka but didn’t have enough time to do anything.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaks about Paul Pogba transfer rumours after Man Utd’s Champions League exit at Leipzig
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
