It’s been 10 years since Bayern Munich lost a home game in the group stages of the Champions League, and that run will continue after Die Roten beat Manchester United on Wednesday at Allianz Arena.
Although the German champions started slowly and would have found themselves behind had it not been for an outstanding challenge by Alphonso Davies, they soon settled into their stride after Andre Onana gifted Leroy Sane the opening goal.
The scoreline perhaps flatters Manchester United thanks to a late flurry of goals. The English club is experiencing some real turmoil at the minute having made a disappointing start to the new season, and you could see the frustration and lack of belief as soon as they went behind. From that moment Bayern did well to control the game.
Bayern Munch 4-3 Manchester United: Player Ratings
Goalkeeper
Sven Ulreich – 6
I’m very much looking forward to Neuer returning this season, not because Ulreich is bad but because he’s just nowhere near as good as the great Bayern shot-stopper. Didn’t really have to make too many saves, and I’m not sure he could have done much with any of the three goals, but he isn’t slick while playing out from the back.
Defenders
Konrad Laimer – 6
I really like Laimer and I thought he did a pretty decent job as a right-back considering he’s a central midfielder. United did concentrate their attacks down the left. From a positional point of view, he was caught out a few times, he also gave away the free-kick which led to the goal. A good shift from Laimer, but you probably don’t want him playing there against the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester City.
Dayot Upamecano – 8
I thought Upamecano was excellent last night, and he showcased his power and pace in defending Marcus Rashford. His dominance in the air kept Hojlund quiet and he read the game well. Was unlucky to get in a tangle for Casemiro’s first goal.
Min-Jae-Kim – 6
I’m not 100% sure what Kim was doing for United’s third goal, he seemed to pick up Casemiro before the free kick and then just floated behind him. You should never have a free header in the six-yard box. Overall he had a quiet game, but that was a bit of a stain on his performance.
Alphonso Davies – 7
As good as he always is. Showcased his pace whenever he had to against Rashford, and did well against a spirited Pellestri in the first half. Made a goal-saving tackle within the first five minutes and came forward and joined the attack well.
Midfielders
Joshua Kimmich – 8.5
Kimmich was outstanding throughout, but he really stood out during the early period when United actually put some pressure on Bayern. He was winning the ball back, linking the play, and the pass to Tel for the fourth Bayern goal was superb. His range of passing and his work rate is unquestionable, he’s a player who oozes class. Tuchel does have question marks over Kimmich as a defensive midfielder. The German international is doing a fine job of convincing Tuchel with his performances.
Leon Goretzka – 7
Relatively quiet night for Goretzka, but he did a lot of mopping up and stifled the United midfield setup. He links play and joins attacks well and while he did pick up a yellow card, I like that he was sticking up for Kane after Lisandro Martinez sent him tumbling with an unnecessary push in the back.
Jamal Musiala – 9
Musiala was the best player on the pitch for me, and considering he’s only just returned from injury, that’s quite a statement. He effortlessly glided through midfield as though no United player could touch him. Set up Gnabry’s goal, and had a perfectly weighted pass to Sane who hit the post. The only thing he didn’t do was score.
Forwards
Harry Kane – 7.5
It wasn’t the finest game by Kane, but in his first Champions League game for Bayern, he assisted Sane’s goal and scored a penalty. He had a couple of half chances, but he worked well to link the play and executed a key defensive header from a very dangerous Bruno Fernandes cross in the first half.
Leroy Sane – 8.5
It was a strange game for Sane, as he cut a very frustrating figure for the first 20 minutes, but after that, he was absolutely electric. He was fortunate that Onana gifted him his goal, but he also hit the post and brought out a couple of good saves from the United keeper. He was a constant threat to United.
Serge Gnabry – 7
Scored Bayern’s second goal on the night with a tidy finish into the bottom corner, but was relatively quiet on the night with Diogo Dalot doing a nice job on him. Gnabry will have much better games for Bayern, but if he can score on his quiet nights, you’ll take it every single time.
Kingsley Coman – 7
Coman was the first man off the bench and he looked lively in possession driving at the United’s back line. He forced a save off Onana and had another shot off target, considering he was only on for 27 minutes, it was a fine display.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – 7.5
Talk about doing a lot in a short space of time, Choupo-Moting had a fine effort that was tipped around the post by Onana, and another shot was saved by the Cameroonian keeper. He also helped out defensively when the game was still in the balance. Really encouraging display by him.
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Mathys Tel – 8
All this young man does is score. Came on in the 87th minute, put a cross in that came off a defender onto the post, and then fired high into the roof of the net to put the game to bed after peeling off the shoulder of his man. Working with Harry Kane and getting opportunities off the bench in games like this, Tel has the world at his feet.
Thomas Muller – 6.5
Didn’t have a lot of time to impact the game. But he did make an intelligent run for the Tel cross that came off a defender and hit the post.