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Jonny Evans was left to reflect on what might have been for Erik ten Hag\u2019s stumbling Manchester United at the end of a miserable European campaign, with a \u201cmassive day\u201d against rivals Liverpool now looming large.<\/p>\n
Boos echoed around Old Trafford for a second straight match as Saturday\u2019s 3-0 Premier League humbling at the hands of Bournemouth was followed by a meek 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n
Tuesday\u2019s lifeless defeat confirmed United\u2019s place at the bottom of a Champions League group many expected them to progress from, meaning they also missed out on a Europa League spot.<\/p>\n
The manner of the Red Devils\u2019 European exit increases the spotlight on underfire boss Ten Hag and leaves the side kicking themselves over the mistakes that cost them dearly in Group A.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou expect to get out of every group being Man United,\u201d deflated defender Evans said after the match.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we made it difficult for ourselves and to go into the last game needing to win and a result to go your way in the other side, the probability of that\u2019s very small.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously tonight playing against a good Bayern side and once they got the goal it was it was difficult then.\u201d<\/p>\n
A paltry four points from five Group A games meant United needed to beat Bayern and hope there was a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray to progress in the Champions League.<\/p>\n
Asked if it was any consolation that the Danes\u2019 1-0 victory meant United would only have been able to reach the Europa League had they won anyway, Evans told beIN SPORTS: \u201cI suppose because, I mean, if the result had gone the other way you can kick yourself.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, you know, on the flip side of that, I felt like we give absolutely everything tonight. It wasn\u2019t a case of, you know, we could look back\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cNot many chances for either side. They got their one chance and took it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a very even game but probably whoever got the first goal (was key) and they got it and that\u2019s the way it went.\u201d<\/p>\n
United managed the game well in the early stages, restricting Bayern to half-chances in an opening period that ended with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw picking up injuries.<\/p>\n
Evans came on as part of the enforced defensive reshuffle and did a solid enough job, but there was barely anything in terms of threat at the other end.<\/p>\n
United managed just one shot on target in what was a must-win match, having blown leads in the 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen and 3-3 draw away to Galatasaray.<\/p>\n
Asked if United could have done more in the previous games to avoid facing such a predicament in the group finale, Evans said: \u201cOf course.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s six games. To be able to get down to the last game, we\u2019re sitting bottom of the group going into the match.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two away games, especially Copenhagen and Galatasaray, were big moments in the group where we felt like we probably slipped up a little bit and made it more difficult for ourselves tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
United players looked drained as they left Old Trafford, where no players stopped to speak to non-rights holders in the mixed zone and face questions about their 12th loss in all competitions of the campaign.<\/p>\n
Some took a shortcut to avoid walking through the interview area. Even in-house broadcaster MUTV did not get to speak to a player.<\/p>\n
United fans will be hoping their players instead do their talking on the pitch against bitter foes Liverpool this Sunday as they return to Anfield for the first time since March\u2019s 7-0 annihilation.<\/p>\n
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is suspended for a match that Ten Hag\u2019s side head into without a string of injured players, increasing the incline on what already looked to be an uphill battle.<\/p>\n
\u201cMassive day for the club, you know, away at Anfield,\u201d homegrown defender Evans said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a couple of days now between the game and you\u2019ve got to dust ourselves down. We\u2019ve got a big match, a huge match.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure in the next day or two once the feeling of this match sort of passes by, we\u2019ll only be excited leading up to that game.\u201d<\/p>\n