THE NOTEBOOK: Man United boss Erik ten Hag starts Raphael Varane for first time in seven weeks as he sets aside differences, while injured Harry Maguire’s ovation is welcome proof of his renaissance at Old Trafford
- Manchester United have left behind European competition for another season
- Varane was finally reintegrated into the side while fans gave Maguire lots of love
- CHRIS SUTTON: I was RIGHT to call Man United players ‘snakes’ last week
Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League – and all European competition – with a 1-0 loss against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.
In an ignominous European campaign, Erik ten Hag’s side managed all of four points on their way to finishing bottom of Group A.
However, there were positives to take from this insipid night – the healing of relations with Raphael Varane and the proof of Harry Maguire’s acceptance by fans.
In other news, anti-Glazer banners returned – but not in the way you might expect.
Here, Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler recaps some of the key themes, happenings, and sights from the game – besides United’s European exit.
Manchester United left European hopes behind with a whimper after a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford
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Needs must for Ten Hag as Varane given a start at last
A big night needed a big call by Erik ten Hag and the Manchester United manager set aside his differences with Raphael Varane to start the Frenchman for the first time in seven weeks.
Varane had only made three appearances as a substitute since playing in United’s victory over Copenhagen here in October after disputing Ten Hag’s reasons for playing Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire ahead of him.
But Ten Hag decided he needed the four-time Champions League winner’s experience so much that he overlooked his preference for wanting a left-footed player on the left-side of central defence and picked Varane ahead of Evans in the absence of Victor Lindelof.
‘He’s very experienced,’ said Ten Hag ‘Especially against Bayern we need to defend very strongly and, as we know he’s a very good defender. ‘
Varane’s partnership with Maguire lasted less than 40 minutes before the latter was forced off through injury, and Luke Shaw followed at half-time with a hamstring strain.
Erik ten Hag settled his differences with Raphael Varane as he handed the defender his first start in seven weeks
The warm ovation given to Maguire as he limped off after suffering a groin injury was welcome proof of his renaissance at Old Trafford.
The treatment of Maguire by some fans until recently was totally unfair, but he has shown huge character to win them – and Ten Hag – over.
It’s just a shame that his revival has been cut short as he became the latest addition to United’s injury list.
Maguire’s attempt to play on even briefly with an injury like that was brave, but it was never going to work.
His replacement, Jonny Evans, has been around so long he played in United’s last Champions League winning campaign of 2007-08.
Harry Maguire was forced to come off with a groin injury but the ovation he received is proof of his rebirth at Old Trafford
Kane makes his mark at Old Trafford
It was written in the stars that Harry Kane’s first club game back in England after leaving Tottenham in the summer would be at Manchester United, who could easily have signed him.
There was no warm welcome for Kane from England teammates Maguire and Shaw in the rather formal pre-match handshakes though.
The England captain. had scored four goals on his last five visits to Old Trafford, and set up another two, but he couldn’t add to that record here.
Manchester United could have signed Harry Kane in the summer but now he has been part of their downfall
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The anti-Glazer banners have disappeared from Old Trafford in recent weeks but the Bayern Munich fans brought their own last night.
The German supporters displayed two banners in the first half in protest over the price of tickets for this match, for which they blamed the United owners.
‘£50 Glazers Overkill – 20 is Plenty,’ read the banners.
German football cottoned onto the idea of fans having a greater say in the running of their clubs years ago, but don’t expect it to catch on in the Premier League anytime soon.
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