Bayern end Man United’s UWCL fairy tale, illustrate gap to European elite

MUNICH, Germany — Manchester United’s UEFA Women’s Champions League debutants’ fairytale run came to a agonizing end in Munich after a quickfire double in the closing stages of the game sealed a 2-1 (5-3 on aggregate) defeat to Bayern Munich. Having now tasted the competition, United must invest to avoid becoming a marvel.

However Wednesday ends, United proved many critics wrong by proving they can dance with Europe’s elite. While it showed that United can compete, it perhaps further highlighted where United cannot: a lack of investment, an injury-laden squad and the fact that they only reformed as a professional team in 2018.

While they will be praised for their efforts, it raises the question of how much further United could have gone if their investment had matched the spending of Europe’s four biggest countries.

The visitors had the opportunity to punish Bayern for their early apprehension and, although they scored early, they failed to capitalize on the nervous hosts in the first half. Ultimately, they lost momentum and control of the game, and that’s when they lost the tie.

It wasn’t as disastrous a start in Munich as it was in Manchester when United conceded after 90 seconds in the first leg. In fact, they were the better team in the first half.

Melvine Malard’s goal was engineered by a perfectly weighted pass from Jayde Rivière as the French striker raced towards goal. Had defender Vanessa Gilles and goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic gotten in the way, the hosts might have thwarted Malard’s chance.

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Bayern Munich didn’t look like the ruthless team looking to prove their point in Manchester last week. Spaces were left far too open and the visitors almost added a second through Malard, forcing Mahmutovic to make an acrobatic save to deny it.

Bayern had much more possession of the ball in the second half, but struggled to try to get back into the contest. United had retreated from possession and allowed Bayern to pepper their box with opportunities.

It was a far cry from the clinical and consistent performance of last week’s first leg, with the hosts increasingly frustrated rather than confident. Bayern Munich called for a penalty three times, twice for fouls in the area and once for a handball. Even though none of the three were penalties, it amplified Bayern’s anxiety.

Seventy-five minutes is a long time to maintain a lead and United were playing as if they were a goal ahead in total, not in the match. They were level 3-3 in both legs, still needing a goal or overtime to advance to the semi-finals.

Their failure to extend their lead as the pendulum of the match had swung in their favor was ultimately their undoing, as a quickfire brace in the final ten minutes from Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir and Linda Dallmann sealed their fate and dashed hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

There are some cruel lessons United can learn from Bayern, a team who have failed repeatedly at this stage.

United started fast but ultimately the German giants were able to weather the storm. With just four substitutes on the pitch, the hosts knew United’s options were limited and team fatigue would lead to an eventual breakthrough.

Including the two decisive goals against Bayern, Man United have conceded six goals after the 80th minute this European season, tied for first among all teams.

They left it late, but it worked.

Whatever the result, United were real contenders throughout the competition and against all odds. As beginners, in their first race in Europe, few people expected them to do so well.

A strong performance in the league stage, perhaps reaching the playoffs, would have been considered a brave effort, especially as United only reformed in 2018, returned to the Women’s Super League in 2019 and are still in the early stages of their history. Beating Atlético Madrid 5-0 (on aggregate) in the playoffs to reach the quarter-finals, the critics were proven wrong, and the tight nature of the quarter-final first leg showed they were capable of taking on the established elite.

There is a contrast between wearing the United badge and falling behind in resources and funding. While the name carries a glittering trophy cabinet, a history of success and high spending, it doesn’t carry the same weight on the women’s side.

United’s wage bill was around half of Arsenal’s last season in its latest financial accounts, at £5.88m compared to £11.3m. They also spent significantly less on agent fees – £197,000 – while Chelsea spent £1.08m.

“Because we wear the Manchester United badge, everyone expects us to be the best team in the world. We have that expectation as well,” said manager Marc Skinner. “So this is the critical point, because we want to be the best. And yet we have to grow because we are eight years old.

“If we want to compete at this later stage, we have seen what we have to do as a club. And then it’s our choice now, isn’t it? We have to think about what we seriously want to achieve and we will learn from it and we will grow. Even as a club we are still learning. Sometimes it takes a punch in the face to wake up.”

United’s run in the Champions League saved this season from complete despair. This season will be considered a success based solely on their efforts on the continent.

After losing the League Cup 2-0 to Chelsea and being knocked out of the FA Cup by the same opponent, United reflected this divide between the teams. A 3-0 defeat to champions-elect Manchester City in Sunday’s derby all but confirmed their local rivals as champions and left United desperately hoping for a miracle on the final day of the season to try to regain a European place.

These wounds will be deep for Manchester United. This experience gave them a taste of European football, and now they must fight to finish the season in tip-top shape and have a chance to replicate or improve on it next season.

If United are hungry for more, they need to prove it and start closing the gap to Europe’s top clubs, otherwise this season will become just a blip in their history and not the turning point it should be.