Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League in dramatic fashion after losing 3-2 to Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena.
PSV Eindhoven’s 2-1 win against CSKA Moscow coupled with United’s defeat to Wolfsburg condemned Louis Van Gaal’s side to the Europa League.
Manchester United took the lead in Germany in the 10th minute after Frenchman Anthony Martial slotted home a perfectly weighted pass by Juan Mata. However, Dieter Hecking’s side equalized 3 mins later as Brazilian defender Naldo guided home a Ricardo Rodriguez free kick.
It was to get worse for Manchester United midway through the first half as Vieirinha gave Wolfsburg the lead after excellent work in buildup by Julian Draxler. Going into the second half, United needed a single goal to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition as PSV were still being held 0-0 by CSKA in Eindhoven.
15 minutes before the end, it seemed as if Manchester United had gotten a backdoor entry into the final 16 as CSKA Moscow took a shock lead in Eindhoven through the penalty spot. However, PSV equalized 2 mins later through Luuk De Jong. A Joshua Guilavogui goal six minutes later leveled the scores at 2-2 and gave United renewed hope of qualification.
Their joy was to be short lived, however, as Wolfsburg took the lead through the second time in the match through Naldo’s header six minutes before time. Seconds later, Davy Proepper scored a screamer for PSV to send Manchester United crashing out of the UEFA Champions League.
Football fans, pundits and players took to twitter to lambast Louis Van Gaal and his expensively assembled Manchester United squad for their meek exit from the Champions League. Here are some of the best tweets.
Man United in the Europa League. Can you believe it? https://t.co/bS4U0FkiYH
a JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) December 8, 2015
#WOB 3-2 #MUFC – A?250m spent on the squad, but United drop into the Europa League after erratic display in Germany. pic.twitter.com/heJ1Q21rX0 a Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) December 8, 2015
Manchester United trying to qualify from their group in the Champions League https://t.co/DQSubdx28s
a The_Lil_Magician (@Lil_Magician10) December 8, 2015
Van Gaal trying to keep United’s season together like… pic.twitter.com/wOm21SiYcf a Footy Vines (@Footy_Vines) December 8, 2015
Wayne Rooney looks upset as Manchester United are knocked out of the Champions League. pic.twitter.com/RvMpumiKgW
a Football Stuff (@FootbalIStuff) December 8, 2015
Manchester United’s back 4 tonight pic.twitter.com/3CzJSek7Ok a Troll Football (@TrollFootball) December 8, 2015
What’s worrying about Man United is that they have spent a 260m (net) in the last 3 seasons and overhaul is the first word that comes to mind
a migeru (@migerucb) December 8, 2015
Hecking and Van Gaal ?Y? Y? (Via: @3FLnQe ) pic.twitter.com/nYoEMsSb9w a Troll Football (@TrollFootball) December 8, 2015
We are trying to rescue a Champions League campaign with Borthwick-Jackson, Powell, Varela, Lingard. Clearly we aren’t ready for it anyway!
a Van Gaalacticos (@VanGaalacticos) December 8, 2015
Man United fans right now pic.twitter.com/5kMyYd4BFL a Football Vines (@FootballVines) December 8, 2015
To soon ?Y?
a Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23) December 8, 2015
Manchester United fans, get ready for interesting thrusday europa league nights. pic.twitter.com/EGGdu67KvR . a Troll Football (@TrollFootball) December 8, 2015
Poor LVG (via @442oons) pic.twitter.com/9wMPnvjA58
a 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) December 8, 2015
When you think you’re going through to the last-16… https://t.co/zKO4d8Oi0q a Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) December 8, 2015
Sorry about the lack of tweets. Mild heart attack. Luckily the ambulance has wifi.
a JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) December 8, 2015
A shadow of what a @ManUtd team should be. No passion, no guts, no commitment, no one smiles, players look like they couldnt care less #DW
a All For United (@allforunited) December 8, 2015
Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United becoming a complete disaster. Deserves to lose his job. Shambles of a team right now.
a Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) December 8, 2015