When Manchester United kicked off their Champions League campaign at Bayern Munich on 20 September, it was impossible to ignore the sense of foreboding. The season had started badly – three Premier League defeats in five – and the priority at the Allianz Arena was not, seemingly, to win or draw but to avoid humiliation.
The 4-3 defeat was a seven‑goal thriller in name only, Bayern comfortable once in front, their superiority pronounced over a United team unable to fire in more than fits and starts. Still, it was not a disaster for United. They knew their Champions League progress would not rest on this match.
