Manchester United have been eliminated from the Champions League after a 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the last-16 second leg on Tuesday.
The Spanish champions move onto the last eight with a 2-1 aggregate scoreline, following the 1-1 draw in Madrid last month.
It was a night of frustration for United, who largely dominated the first 30 minutes, with the play almost exclusively being held in Atletico’s half. The Red Devils moved the ball quicker and were assertive out of possession with Scott McTominay and Fred providing the energy through the middle.
They also created some decent opportunities, with Anthony Elanga hitting a point-blank effort at Jan Oblak after 13 minutes, while Diogo Dalot had two strikes from distance.
Bruno Fernandes also had a penalty claimed down when he was caught by a wayward Reinildo leg, but the officials turned it down.
Atletico only created one opportunity in the opening 30 minutes, when Rodrigo De Paul forced David De Gea into a full-length sprawl to keep out his dipping effort.
But for all United’s good play, their levels dropped near the end of the first half, and the visitors took advantage. First, Joao Felix had a a goal correctly ruled offside, and then on 41 minutes, Renan Lodi headed in at the back to post to give Atleti the lead. However, United felt Elanga was fouled in the build-up to the goal.
Bruno Fernandes ended the half with a strike that tested Oblak, while moments after the interval Elanga fired a strike wide of the far post.
But it proved to be one of just a few chances for United in the second period. Jadon Sancho volleyed over from a Dalot cross, while the defender again struck from distance.
Raphael Varane also went close with a header inside the Atletico box, but Oblak did well to hold it.
As for Diego Simeone’s side, they frustrated the hosts by running down the clock, taking an age to restart play and regularly falling to the ground with injuries.
Their best chance came from De Paul in the second period, although Felix and Geoffrey Kondogbia had strikes which failed to test De Gea.
It ultimately proved to a be a disappointing night for United, and here’s how we rated both sets of players...
It was a night of frustration for United, who largely dominated the first 30 minutes, with the play almost exclusively being held in Atletico’s half. The Red Devils moved the ball quicker and were assertive out of possession with Scott McTominay and Fred providing the energy through the middle.
5. Alex Telles- 5
Didn’t link particularly well with Sancho, and didn’t cover himself in glory for the Atleti goal. He also failed to create an abundance of chances from left-back.
6. Scott McTominay- 6 (off 67)
Was excellent in the first 30 minutes and brought real energy and bite to midfield, but those levels dropped as the game went on.
7. Fred- 7 (off 75)
Was superb in the first half, but as the game became more compact he had less space to drive forward. Fred was replaced late on as Ralf Rangick threw on more attack-minded players.
8. Anthony Elanga- 6 (off 67)
Had a few good efforts and was always an option when United were in possession, but his final product was lacking against Atletico.