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This was a match that decided which of the teams would advance from the group. And aware of the importance of the game, the two coaches, Julian Nagelsmann of Leipzig and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of United, opted to rest the players this weekend.
Julian Nagelsmann was happy with three changes now, after 3-3 away from Bayern Munich last Saturday.
Willi Orban came in centrally on the baseline in place of Dayot Upemecano, Kevin Kampl replaced Tyler Adams in midfield, Dani Olmo went to the top in place of Justin Kluivert.
Sunshine did five changes, compared to the starting eleven against West Ham on Saturday, victory 3-1.
Goalkeeper David De Gea, winger Luke Shaw, midfielders Nemanja Matic and Bruno Fernades and forward Marcus Rashford entered. Dean Henderson, Paul Pogba, Donny van den Beek, Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani dated.
Martial and Cavani were off the roster with injuries.
Pogba was missed to the bank. A tactical decision, Solskjaer said.
But at the same time, it is no secret that there are screeches between the French and United again. Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, said on Monday that Pogba is unhappy at the club, that he cannot perform at the level he wants and is expected of him. And that Pogba should leave the club during the next transfer window.
The changes meant that Solskjaer invested in a triple line with Harry Maguire, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf and Shaw. Complemented by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles as wingers.
It didn’t work at all. Leipzig celebrated big wins in the game of adjustment, especially during the first 20 minutes. United’s heavy midfielder didn’t keep up, and Leipzig’s left-back Angelino was dealt with in huge areas as Wan-Bissaka was too high in position.
It was no coincidence that Angelino has just started the shot, after a great cross pass from the right wing. Completely clean, he had all the time in the world to place the ball in the far corner.
Ten minutes later, Amadou Haidara played 2-0.
Emil Forsberg probably should have given his team another goal in the 17th minute, but a superb maneuver by De Gea kept the visitors in the game.
United’s defense was in shambles. And it was necessary for the VAR to review just under half an hour, to find the offside, when Willi Orban extended on a third goal.
With a disadvantage 0-2 at half time Solskjaer had to act. Donny van den Beek replaced Alex Telles, but in a more offensive role. And with half an hour to go, Pogba entered instead of Matic.
United advanced in the game. Pressed for a reduction. In the 68th minute, Bruno Fernandes was about to put one more goal for the visitors when, after entering the center, he fired from the edge of the area, but his shot went over the crossbar.
But it was still Leipzig night, until now. Minutes after Fernande’s rib hit, backup Justin Kluivert scored 3-0. A goal that came out of nowhere, after Angelino hit a low ball from the left wing, which passed many meters before reaching Kluivert.
A goal that should has closed the game. But United did not give up. He landed a cheap penalty in the 80th minute after Mason Greenwood fell in a close match with Ibrahima Konate.
Fernandes was safe from eleven meters. And two minutes later, Pogba nodded at 3-2.
It was split again.
And United came close to equalizing in extra time, when Leipzig came close to scoring an own goal. But defensive mistakes early in the game cost too much. Manchester United will play in the Europa League after the New Year.
Emil Forsberg had the opportunity to change things. Victor Nilsson Lindelöf retired with a quarter left in an offensive substitution.
