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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United always makes it difficult for them.
They did just that here, but even with their famous comeback ability, this was an escape act too far, despite looting two late goals to give them hope.
Needing a point to advance to the round of 16, United found themselves 2-0 down after 14 minutes and fell in the Europa League after the shortest of spells in the top table of European football.
Having won their first two group stage matches, United were in control of their destiny, but a surprise loss at Basaksehir Istanbul started the rot that saw them end with successive defeats to come out.
(Image: Ibrahim Ot / REX / Shutterstock)
Two late goals in as many minutes by Bruno Fernandes and substitute Paul Pogba gave United hope of getting the tie they needed, but in the end they were left with too much to do.
Just as he did in a 3-1 home loss to Paris St Germain last week, when his failure to hook Fred before his inevitable ejection doomed United to defeat, Solskajer was entirely to blame.
Despite saying that United would come out to win, Solskjaer prepared his team not to lose and paid the price for his cautious team selection, and Leipzig made the most of their opponents’ uncertainty.
And when a line-up and personnel change was urgently required with United 2-0 down and 32 minutes to go in the first half, Solskjaer hesitated and waited until halftime to make changes.
(Image: Ibrahim Ot / REX / Shutterstock)
Five years after the day United fell in a shocking 3-2 defeat in Wolfsburg to exit the Champions League, Solskjaer’s side suffered the same fate, and only they themselves were to blame.
They got off to the worst possible start, conceding at two minutes, their defense broken once again and they had to pay for their disorganization.
Leipzig captain Marcel Sabitzer watched Angelino run and sent a perfect delivery for the Manchester City loan man, who scored with a hard-hitting Roberto Carlos-style finish.
It was Angelino’s seventh goal of the season, the left-back grateful to United winger Aaaron Wan-Bissaka, who showed his defensive naivety by not detecting his career behind him.
Things went from bad to worse for United in the 13th minute, Angelino again giving room for Amadou Haidara to deliver a volley shot to make it 2-0.
Emil Forsberg should have made it 3-0 two minutes later, but he pushed the ball from very close, and United once again proved to please opponents by pulling away from him.
Peter Gulacsi kept United at bay with a succession of good saves after the break, while Bruno Fernandes hit the crossbar with a free kick in the 68th minute. A minute later it was 3-0.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
A dire confusion between De Gea and Harry Maguire allowed substitute Justin Kluivert to step between them and score.
Fernandes gave United a lifeline with a penalty 10 minutes from time and substitute Paul Pogba retired a second two minutes later to secure a frenzied finish.
United came agonizingly close to the third goal they needed in overtime when Nordi Mukiele directed the ball towards his own goal, but directly towards Gulacsi.
However, United did not deserve to pass, despite their late rally, and now Solskjaer’s painful investigation begins.
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