
Bizarre clash with Bayern ends in predictable outcome for Manchester United
Football, bloody hell, as Sir Alex Ferguson famously exclaimed after an action-packed finale against Bayern Munich. Manchester United had the final say again, Casemiro’s second goal meaning they got three in the Allianz Arena. Yet on a night of some surreal developments, there was a certain predictability, too. Of course Harry Kane scored. Bayern Munich bought him to be reassuringly reliable. Of course United lost, too, because that felt like a guarantee for a team with an acute self-destructive streak and even as they can savour the fact that the striker they did get instead of Kane, Rasmus Hojlund, opened his account. But as United’s third successive defeat was a tale of three summer signings, the notion it would come down to Kane against Hojlund, the master and the apprentice of goalscoring, overlooked United’s increasingly acute goalkeeping issue. While United named three goalkeepers on their bench, the problem was the one they had on the Allianz Arena pitch. Andre Onana was a Champions League finalist last season and arguably the outstanding shot-stopper in the competition. If Erik ten Hag thought he was buying a guarantee of their own, a Kane of goalkeeping, the Cameroonian marred his United bow in the competition with a horrible error, gifting Leroy Sane the opener and Bayern a path to a victory that, despite United’s three goals, rarely felt in doubt thereafter. While Jamal Musiala was outstanding, Thomas Tuchel’s team did not justify their billing among the favourites to win the competition. Nor did they need to. After 27 minutes of mediocrity from Bayern, Onana blundered, Sane scored and his torrid start to the season moved into the realms of the terrible. Short of players and confidence, United desperately require solidity, something to give them a platform they can build upon. Instead, for the first time since 2001, they have conceded at least two goals in five successive matches. Onana has been culpable for several of the 14, to varying degrees, but none as much as Sane’s limp shot. While Kane ended his Champions League debut for Bayern with an assist and a goal, the first came courtesy of Onana. As Bayern made an undistinguished start, the best pass Kane received in the first 27 minutes came from Hojlund, United transfer targets in various summers inadvertently combining. But then Sane cut infield, used Kane to play a one-two and shot. Gently. Towards Onana. But the ball squirmed under him, somehow. In a sense, it was a mistake that cost United two goals. They are a side with a capacity to struggle immediately after a setback and, for the third time already this season, they conceded twice in five minutes. The magnificent Musiala was the instigator of the second, a driving run drawing in three United defenders. In the process, they left Gnabry unmarked for him to steer in a shot. Onana neglected to dive this time, perhaps wary of what happened the previous time he did. But it meant there were unwanted similarities with Saturday. As they had against Brighton, United started well. As they did then, they unravelled before the interval. Ten Hag had ditched his midfield diamond and United had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring. After Alphonso Davies made a terrific recovery challenge on Facundo Pellestri, the ball fell obligingly for Christian Eriksen. Perhaps unable to believe how good a chance it was, he shot tamely at Sven Ulreich. Another Dane struck instead for United; it is a goal that may have a long-term significance. It was a first repayment of Hojlund’s £72m fee not, after his cameo at Arsenal, a first indication the young Dane is not intimidated by his price or the pressure it confers. After Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford combined, he span and shot; perhaps a better goalkeeper than Ulreich would have stopped it and United’s three goals suggested the goalkeeper may yet be Bayern’s undoing. But not here. Bayern responded, with a penalty awarded after the incident was reviewed on a monitor. Dayot Upamecano’s header struck the raised arm of Eriksen. Kane composed himself and beat Onana. And then Bayern, so mediocre at the start, were rampant. Sane rolled a shot against the post, Onana again motionless. The goalkeeper belatedly started making saves, launching a damage-limitation exercise when he had been responsible for the initial damage. Bayern, in a show of strength, were able to send on Kingsley Coman, the scorer of a Champions League final winner. Then came a further exchange of goals, Casemiro first finished while grounded before applying a finishing touch to Fernandes’ free kick. Sandwiched by his pair, Bayern added an ultimately decisive fourth: after Thomas Muller struck the post, another substitute, Mathys Tel, finished emphatically. Shorn of 12 players for various reasons – again, some self-inflicted – United had no such enviable options. Their replacements included three goalkeepers, four rookies and a 35-year-old Jonny Evans. United once beat Bayern because they had Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as substitutes. In a rematch, they had two late goals, both from Casemiro, but fewer reasons to party like it was 1999. Read More Bayern Munich vs Manchester United player ratings: Kane scores and Musiala shines after Onana howler Arsenal are back in the Champions League — and they look like contenders too Harry Kane on target as Bayern Munich pile misery on Manchester United How Harry Kane unshackled Bayern Munich with a classic move from his Tottenham days Andre Onana owns up to mistake against Bayern: ‘One of my worst games’ Bayern Munich vs Manchester United player ratings: Kane scores after Onana howler
2023-09-21 14:29

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: India set to approve historic women's quota bill
The proposed law guarantees a third of seats for women in India's parliament and state assemblies.
2023-09-21 14:28

Powerball jackpot grows to $725 million after no winning ticket Wednesday
Powerball players now have the chance to win an estimated $725 million jackpot this weekend after Wednesday night's drawing produced no big winner.
2023-09-21 14:16

Hong Kong Holds Rate as Fed Presses Pause on Hiking Cycle
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority maintained its base rate at 5.75% on Thursday as the US Federal Reserve
2023-09-21 13:49

Stocks retreat, US yields advance, dollar strengthens on hawkish Fed
By Xie Yu HONG KONG Asian stocks followed Wall Street's lead on Thursday, dipping across the board as
2023-09-21 13:23

Poland to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine over grain row
It comes as tensions rapidly escalate between the two countries - historically close allies.
2023-09-21 13:21

Where Ukraine’s army of amputees go to repair their lives
Orla Guerin visits a hospital and clinic in Ukraine, where 15,000 lost limbs in the first half of 2023.
2023-09-21 13:18

Why has Doja Cat's new song 'Balut' landed her in hot water with some Filipino listeners?
American rapper Doja Cat has landed in hot water with listeners in the Philippines after naming her latest single after a Filipino street food.
2023-09-21 12:47

Japan's Toshiba set to end 74-year stock market history
A group of investors plans to take the company private after buying more than 78% of its shares.
2023-09-21 11:55

Singapore Banks Tighten Scrutiny of Chinese With Other Passports
Singapore banks are increasing scrutiny of some Chinese-born clients with other citizenships, following last month’s crackdown on money
2023-09-21 11:18

Southern Baptist Convention expels Oklahoma church after pastor defends performing in blackface while impersonating Ray Charles
The Southern Baptist Convention expelled a rural Oklahoma church from its membership Tuesday after resurfaced pictures and video show its pastor impersonating late singer Ray Charles in blackface at a talent show, according to a convention spokesperson.
2023-09-21 10:52

Kenya's Westgate shopping mall siege: How a survivor has healed
Shamim Allu used to walk on crutches after militants shot her at a Kenyan shopping mall a decade ago.
2023-09-21 09:27