Erik ten Hag’s Ajax suffer shock defeat to Benfica in Champions League last-16

While Manchester United were being beaten at Old Trafford, prospective new manager Erik ten Hag also departed at the last-16 stage of the Champions League as his Ajax side were beaten by Benfica.

The Dutch manager is said to be a major target for the Red Devils having led his side out of the group stages with a perfect record - but they are now out after a 1-0 loss on Tuesday.

Darwin Nunez struck late to secure Benfica a 3-2 aggregate victory, meaning Ten Hag joins fellow United-linked boss Mauricio Pochettino in falling at this stage of the competition.

In the 77th minute, Nunez rose above the Ajax defence to score from a free-kick in a rare attack for the Portuguese club, who put up a stout defensive performance at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Benfica's veteran centre back pair of Jan Vertonghen and Nicolas Otamendi were a defensive wall that their hosts were unable to break down, despite dominating possession and constantly attacking the visitors' goal.

The Dutch club had won all their group games and, after a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the last-16 tie in Lisbon last month, were expected to ease through to the last-eight with home advantage in the second leg.

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But their hopes of an extended run in the Champions League were brought to a sudden end by Benfica, who have had a poor domestic season and flounder 12 points from the summit of the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Ajax peppered the Benfica goal in the first-half at the end of swift build-ups and multiple crosses into the penalty area, but got few of their efforts on target.

Teenager Ryan Gravenberch created an opening for himself with a strong run but fired his 36th-minute shot just over the