‘Should have done better’ - Erik ten Hag’s Champions League verdict as Man Utd crash out of Europe

Erik ten Hag said individual errors and a lack of squad depth cost his Manchester United side in Europe this season.

The Red Devils crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday night after a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich that saw them finish bottom of the group and means they won’t be involved in any form of European football in the second half of the campaign. Kingsley Coman’s second-half strike settled proceedings at Old Trafford and wrapped up a dismal 2023/24 Champions League campaign.

Ten Hag’s side picked up just four points from six group-stage games that included no away wins despite scoring three goals respectively in Munich, Copenhagen and Istanbul. United also allowed late leads to slip in the latter two matches, and at home to Galatasaray.

Speaking after the Bayern loss, Ten Hag said mistakes from his players in previous matches came back to bite them. “I look to my team and we had I think the opportunities in games where we were in winning positions, we scored many goals but then also you have to see we gave it away sometimes by individual errors - by not one player but by more players, not every time the same - they give the opponent opportunities to turn.

“We also had very good spells in games but we have to do better. The facts are we do not have enough points, we are disappointed as a group, as a manager, I am disappointed. We should have done better.”

United lost Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw to injury on Tuesday, while Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial missed the game due to illness, along with the other injuries that have blighted United’s European campaign. It meant Ten Hag could only introduce the inexperienced Kobbie Mainoo, Facundo Pellistri and Hannibal late on as the Red Devils tried to find a way back in match.

"I would say it is simple today, we have to make subs and we're losing players and players who are very decisive for our game, who can make the difference and in many games it was also the case in this campaign, we had not always the players available we want to play. That’s definitely a part,” opined Ten Hag.

Asked for his view of the game, the United boss said: “I think the game was like this, for both sides: less chances, but I think there was a good intensity in the game.

“I think from our side we brought Bayern out of their rhythm of the game with the defensive organisation and pressing organisation, we did quite well, if not to say very well, especially the first part after the second half where we had also very good ball regains high up the pitch, but we didn't take the benefit from it. We had our moments but just didn't take them."