Resilience and a lack of cutting edge: How United battled to salvage quarter-final first leg against Bayern
Marc Skinner's side trail Bayern Munich 3-2 heading into next week's second leg
Old Trafford under the lights was once again the venue for the latest chapter in Manchester United’s European story on Wednesday night.
This time it was a quarter-final against Bayern Munich, a game in which United were clear underdogs. Despite the huge challenge facing Marc Skinner’s side, they headed into this fixture with a quiet confidence. But all of that was quickly dented when former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder opened the scoring for the visitors inside just two minutes. United, to their credit, recovered well and managed to respond before half time with Maya Le Tissier converting from the penalty spot.
In a back and forth tussle in the second half, it was United’s nemesis again on the scoresheet as Harder slotted another one past Phallon Tullis-Joyce in the 71st minute. United managed to make it 2-2 through Hanna Lundkvist five minutes later, but just as they thought they had done enough to claim a draw, they were punished by a brilliant edge-of-the-box finish from Momoko Tanikawa.
It’s still all to play for in this tie, but what can Skinner take from this game heading into the second leg next Wednesday night?
United’s high line
United’s defensive line was certainly higher in this game than in previous fixtures, mainly due to the high pressing from United’s midfield, something which has been lacking with Hinata Miyazawa’s absence.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy, however it did cost United for the first two Bayern goals. The second goal is where we see the most prominent issue, with the midfield trio of Lisa Naalsund, Julia Zigiotti Olme and Miyazawa all pushing into Bayern’s half.
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