Manchester United are on the brink of setting an unwanted UEFA Champions League record as they entertain Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on match day six.
The Red Devils must beat the Bundesliga giants and hope that FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw to progress to the round of 16.
Erik ten Hag’s side find themselves botton of group A ahead of their vital clash against the German champions, and they will be keen to avoid an unwanted UEFA Champions League record.
Unwanted UEFA Champions League Record
The unwanted UEFA Champions League record Manchester United will be keen to avoid is for the number of goals a Premier League side has conceded in the group stages of a single campaign. So far, the Red Devils have shipped 14 goals – only Belgian side Antwerp have let in more in the group stages this season – and with Bayern Munich up next, the record seems inevitable.
No side from England’s elite has shipped 15+ goals in the group stages of a single UEFA Champions League season and with Manchester United being on the brink of being the first, it highlights just how shaky they have been at the back in the 2023/24 campaign. In fact, it’s been alarming for a United side to be so suspect defensively.
Ready for a #UCL night under the Old Trafford lights 💫#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2023
Man Utd’s Leaky Defence
Manchester United’s leaky defence has been a huge problem in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stages. Domestically, it’s not been so bad with five shutouts from their 16 fixtures but in Europe, it’s been a complete disaster. The only clean sheet they have kept came in the laboured 1-0 victory over Copenhagen in October.
The first group game in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League saw them lose 4-3 to Bayern Munich, before slipping to a 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray on match day two. After the home win against Copenhagen, the Red Devils shipped four in the Danish capital before conceding three more times in the Turkish capital on match day five.
Why Have Man Utd Been Poor Defensively?
In theory, conceding four goals to Bayern Munich on their own patch isn’t a huge disaster, but Manchester United have failed to address their defensive lapses since the defeat in Germany. Admittedly, Andre Onana’s performances and lack of concentration hasn’t helped, as we tried to analyse his mistakes, with most of the focus coming from his UEFA Champions League performances.
Naturally, injuries haven’t helped the Red Devils cause either but there is no real excuse for a club like United – who have plenty of talent to call upon – to be so complacent and vulnerable defensively. Erik ten Hag must reinstall confidence amongst his backline and make sure they are mentally ready for the challenge ahead. Prior to the clash, the best UK betting sites make Bayern the match favourites at 13/10, the draw 33/10 and United 2/1.
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