UCL: Bayern and United play out a classic
Bayern Munich 4 - 3 Manchester United
Bayern Munich and Manchester United played out a classic Champions League encounter in Munich. Harry Kane was heavily involved.
This was not Kane's best game, with him floating in and out of it, but he did what was required. His neat set-up enabled the opener and he made no mistake with a typically ruthless penalty.
No better way to start our @ChampionsLeague campaign at home 🙌 #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/kYeMuhkbAK
— Harry Kane (@HKane) September 20, 2023
Following a VAR review, the England captain scored a penalty at the Allianz Arena, taking his tally of goals in all competitions this season to five in five games.
Kane's goal came just after Rasmus Hojland's first United goal made it 2-1 early in the second half and gave his side some hope of a result.
Earlier, in the 28th minute, goalkeeper Andre Onana had undone a disciplined start by allowing Leroy Sane's drive to slip under him and into the net.
Four minutes later, Serge Gnabry struck low and accurately inside the far corner to make it 2-0. That certainly wasn't Onana's fault and you'd have to blame United's defence.
While the visitors came out fighting to make a contest of it, their current fragility and lack of options from the bench as a result of numerous injuries weakened their chances.
From 3-1 to 4-3 within a few minutes
Casemiro showed dogged determination to smuggle a second in for United to give them a glimmer of hope but Mathys Tel snuffed that out by hammering a Bayern fourth high into the net in added time.
United were not finished, with Casemiro heading home Bruno Fernandes' free-kick from close range with almost the last kick of the game, but it was too late.
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From United's perspective, if they had been able to test Bayern's resolve for longer at 2-1 rather than conceding again inside five minutes they may have taken something.
And then at the end, they showed some level of fight to forge Casemiro's double only for that to be made moot by their soft concession of a fourth.
This is a United side undone by early-season results, injuries and costly moments of ineptitude.
Bayern record-breakers
It's 35 games unbeaten for the German champions in this competition and 15 straight wins at home. They have early control of Group A.
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Jeremie, a Bayern Munich, offered some interesting insights into the fans perspective. He said: "As a Bayern fan, the players pose a threat in every game, creating chances in every game. However, against Manchester United, you'd argue that they were very reserved in the opening exchanges and lucky not to fall behind. The goals they scored helped the players establish some confidence and fluidity. The team is not at 100% so far. However, the reactions to adversity tonight were fantastic.
"I actually thought the team from Manchester played okay. They scored some goals and on another day, they could have won this match. I feel like both of these teams will qualify for the competition. If I was a Manchester United fan, I would not be so concerned. The results will come. It was also definitely not a penalty to make it 3-1. That almost certainly swung the outcome of the match back in our favour. "
