Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel gives bleak Man Utd verdict after Champions League exit

Thomas Tuchel claimed Manchester United ‘lack personality’ and squad depth after the Red Devils were dumped out of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Bayern Munich’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford meant United finished bottom of the group and won’t play any form of European football in the second half of the season. Bayern played in second gear against Erik ten Hag side’s, who could only muster one shot on target across the night.

As United searched for a way back into the game late on, the manager introduced Kobbie Mainoo, Facundo Pellsitri and Hannibal off the bench, three players who between them had earned four Champions League appearances prior to Tuesday. It highlights the dearth of options Ten Hag currently has at his disposal and the injuries that blighted United’s Champions League campaign, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw adding to that as they had to be withdrawn against Bayern.

Speaking after the game, Tuchel said Ten Hag is not facing an ‘easy time’ as United manager. “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,” claimed the ex-Chelsea boss. 

“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.”

Asked if he was surprised United finished bottom of the group, Tuchel replied: “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.”