By Daily Sports Nigeria on March 16, 2022

Match report as Manchester United suffer a 1-0 home defeat to Atletico Madrid to end their Champions League hopes at the last-16 stage; David de Gea: "There are too many years without any trophies"

Manchester United are out of the Champions League after a 1-0 home defeat to Atletico Madrid saw them beaten 2-1 on aggregate.

Renan Lodi's first-half header was enough to take Diego Simeone's side into the quarter-finals as Ralf Rangnick's team endured a frustrating evening at Old Trafford.

Already out of the FA Cup, the defeat means that United's slim hopes of ending their long trophy drought this season are at an end, with goalkeeper David de Gea later admitting: "There are too many years without any trophies."

Manchester United were the more enterprising team for much of the first half as they tried to press Atletico with some success, rushing the Spanish side to the delight of the crowd.

Raphael Varane's tackle on Joao Felix was cheered, Fred's flicks and tricks brought roars, while Cristiano Ronaldo was winning tackles by the touchline, dribbling down the wing.

There were moments, hints that Atletico might fold. Elanga spurned a wonderful chance from close range. Bruno Fernandes wanted a penalty. Nothing was given.

The Atletico forwards had only long balls to work with for much of the opening 45 minutes but when they did play, it was United's frailty that was systematically exposed.

The warning came just before the goal, Marcos Llorente narrowly offside when setting up Joao Felix to score. The Atletico wing-backs had too much space. It proved costly.

Elanga appeared to have been fouled at the other end but Atletico were soon through United, Joao Felix's backheel finding Antoine Griezmann whose cross was headed in by Lodi.

De Gea, who had earlier pulled off an extraordinary save to keep out Rodrigo De Paul's speculative shot, could do nothing. Diogo Dalot could not say the same.

A response was needed. Elanga drove wide, Fred dragged another past the other post to Ronaldo's disgust, before Jadon Sancho volleyed the ball into the Stretford End.

Rangnick made a triple substitution midway through the second half. Fernandes was withdrawn. But the formation stayed the same until Edinson Cavani came on for Fred.

Jan Oblak did save well from Varane but the final substitution only capped a miserable night - captain Harry Maguire jeered off as he was replaced by Juan Mata.

There was little realistic chance of Manchester United pulling off something extraordinary in this Champions League. The Premier League table reveals the gulf between them and their domestic rivals even before the best clubs from continental Europe are considered.

However, this was still a dismal evening for United because it was so predictable. Punished on the counter-attack after being exposed in the wide areas, what followed was grim: United trying to find a way through Atletico Madrid's defensive block. Ideas lacking.

Rangnick said afterwards that the one thing not to do against Atletico is concede first. That is what they did. Simeone understood the one thing that his team had to do. "We knew the opponent likes to play on the counter-attack," he said. Sit back. Let United have it.

What followed was turgid. United passed it to one side and then to the other. Crosses came in. Fodder for these centre-backs. An increasingly desperate Ronaldo tried to knock it past a defender and run round him. Maybe 10 years ago.

Manchester United's next engagement is not until April 2 when they host Leicester City in the Premier League, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 5.30pm.

Atletico Madrid are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Rayo Vallecano; kick-off 8pm.

Source Sky Sports

Posted March 16, 2022

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