Eight goals in 27 minutes explain why Manchester United could face European embarrassment

For 28 minutes in Munich, it was all going so well for Manchester United. For 71 minutes against Galatasaray at Old Trafford, they were back in control of their European destiny and twice in Copenhagen, they were doing what was required of them. Then the first card fell and the rest collapsed under the slightest breeze.

This is the story of what looks set to be another woeful Champions League campaign for United. Significant spells where they've looked like a good team, certainly good enough to get out of this group. But an end result that is leaving them on the brink of the embarrassment of not even making the consultation prize of the Europa League.

Nobody expected much of United at Bayern Munich on matchday one, but they started well at the Allianz Arena and were the better side until Andre Onana made an error to gift Leroy Sane a goal. Rather than clearing their heads, United conceded again four minutes later and were in a position they couldn't recover from.

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Against Galatasaray at home they were the better team for three-quarters of the game and deserved a 2-1 lead at that stage. Then they conceded twice in 10 minutes - while also conceding a penalty that was missed - and have had their backs to the wall ever since.

That made Wednesday's trip to the Parken Stadium a must-win for Erik ten Hag's side. For 42 minutes they produced their best performance of the season, but when Marcus Rashford was sent off they conceded twice in nine minutes at the end of the first half.

After the break they played well with 10 men and deserved to reclaim the lead, but conceded twice