Manchester United were eliminated from the Champions League in dramatic fashion by a late loss at Wolfsburg.
United threw away an early lead and ultimately slipped from second to third in Germany as PSV moved into the top two behind Dieter Hecking’s group winners – themselves battling back from Sergei Ignashevich’s penalty to claim maximum points against CSKA Moscow.
The Red Devils made an ideal start when Anthony Martial caressed Juan Mata’s pinpoint pass into the bottom corner.
Wolfsburg replied within three minutes through Naldo’s sharp volley and led when Vieirinha finished a flowing move.
United thought they were through after Josuha Guilavogui’s own goal, only to be condemned to the Europa League through Naldo’s late header.
Louis van Gaal’s side knew they would qualify for the last 16 by beating Wolfsburg, or if they matched PSV Eindhoven’s result against CSKA Moscow.
Twice inside the final 15 minutes, United thought they were progressing at the expense of the Dutch side, who needed to better United’s result to advance.
CSKA led 1-0 in Eindhoven as United also trailed, before both PSV and United were briefly level in their respective games.
But late winners for Wolfsburg and PSV, who won 2-1, knocked out Van Gaal’s team.
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