Bayern end Man United's UWCL fairy tale, illustrate gap to European elite

MUNICH, Germany -- Debutants Manchester United's fairytale UEFA Women's Champions League run came to an agonizing ending in Munich after a quick double in the closing stages of the game sealed a 2-1 (5-3 on aggregate) loss to Bayern Munich. Having now had a taste of the competition, United need to invest to avoid being one-hit wonders.

Regardless of how Wednesday ended, United had proved plenty of critics wrong in proving that they can dance with Europe's elite. Although it has shown that United can compete, it has perhaps highlighted more of where United can't -- a lack of investment, an injury-laden squad and the fact they only reformed as a professional outfit in 2018.

While they will be praised for the efforts, it raises the question of how further United could have gone if their investment matched the spending of Europe's top four.

The visitors had the opportunity to punish Bayern for their early trepidation, and while they did strike early, they failed to capitalize on the nervy hosts in the first half. Ultimately, they lost momentum and control of the game, and this is where they lost the tie.

It was not such a calamitous start in Munich as it was in Manchester when United conceded after 90 seconds in the first leg. In fact, they were the better team for the first half.

Melvine Malard's goal was engineered by a perfectly weighted pass from Jayde Riviere as the France forward barreled down on goal. Had defender Vanessa Gilles and goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic got in each other's way, the hosts may have thwarted Malard's chance.

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Bayern Munich did not look like the ruthless side that set out to prove a point in Manchester last week. Spaces were left far too open, and the visitors almost added a second through Malard again, forcing Mahmutovic into an acrobatic save to deny her.

Bayern had far more of the ball in the second half but were tying themselves in knots trying to find a way back into the clash. United had backed off possession and were allowing Bayern to pepper their box with opportunities.

It was far from the cohesive, clinical performance in the first leg last week, with the hosts growing in frustration rather than confidence. Thrice Bayern Munich called for a penalty, twice for fouls in the box and once for handball. Although none of the three were penalties, it amplified Bayern's angst.

Seventy-five minutes is a long time to hold on to a lead and United were playing like they had a one-goal advantage on aggregate, not in the game. They were level 3-3 across both legs, still needing a goal or extra time to earn passage to the semifinals.

Their inability to further their lead when the pendulum of the game had swung in their favor was ultimately their undoing as a quick double in the final ten minutes from Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir and Linda Dallmann sealed their fate and shredded hopes of reaching the semifinals.

There are cruel lessons United can learn from Bayern, a team who have fallen short at this stage numerous times.

United started fast but ultimately the German giants knew how to weather the storm. With only four outfield substitutes, the hosts knew that United's options were limited and that tiring out the team would lead to an eventual breakthrough.

Including the two decisive strikes against Bayern, Man United have conceded six goals after the 80th minute this European term, tied for most by any team.

They left it late, but it worked.

Regardless of the result, United have been true competitors throughout the competition and against all odds. As debutants, in their inaugural run in Europe, few expected them to do so well.

A solid performance in the League Phase, perhaps reaching the playoffs would have been considered a valiant effort, especially given that United only reformed in 2018, entered back into the Women's Super League in 2019 and are still in the infancy of their history. Easing past Atlético Madrid 5-0 (on aggregate) in the playoffs to reach the quarterfinals proved critics wrong, and the close nature of the first leg of the quarterfinal showed they are capable of going toe to toe with the established elite.

There is a contrast between wearing the United badge and remaining behind when it comes to resources and funding. While the name carries a glittery trophy cabinet, a history of success and high expenditure, it does not have the same weight on the women's side.

United's wage bill was about half of Arsenal's last season in their latest financial accounts, with £5.88 million compared to £11.3 million. They also spent significantly less on agent fees -- £197,000 -- while Chelsea spent £1.08 million.

"Because we wear Manchester United's badge, everybody expects us to be the very best team in the world. We have that expectation too," manager Marc Skinner said. "So that's the pinch point, because we want to be the best. And yet we've got to grow because we're eight years old.

"If we want to compete at this latter stage, we've seen what we've got to do, as a club. And then it's our choice now, isn't it? We have to look at what we seriously want to achieve and we'll learn and grow from it. Even as a club, we're still learning. It takes, sometimes, a punch in the face to wake up."

United's Champions League run has saved this season from total despair. This season will be marked as somewhat of a success purely based on their efforts on the continent.

Having lost the League Cup 2-0 to Chelsea and been knocked out of the FA Cup by the same opponent, United reflected that gulf between the teams. A 3-0 loss to champions-elect Manchester City in the derby on Sunday all but confirmed their local rivals as champions and left United agonizingly hoping for a miracle on the final day of the season to try to reclaim a European place.

These wounds will run deep for Manchester United. This experience has given them a taste of European football, and they now face a battle to end the season picture perfect to be in with a chance of replicating or bettering it next term.

If United are hungry for more, they need to prove it and start closing the gap with the top European clubs, otherwise this season becomes just a moment in their history and not the turning point that it should be.