Manchester United failed to finish top of Champions League Group H as they fall to Valencia in a 2-1 loss.
VALENCIA, 2019, DECEMBER 13 – With Juventus suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat to Young Boys, United would have topped the group should they won at the Mestalla.
Carlos Soler struck early for Los Ches and dented the visitors’ hopes.
Phil Jones‘ dreadful own goal moments after the break extended Valencia’s advantage and United could only pull one back in the 87th minute through Marcus Rashford.
But it was too late for United to mount a comeback and will have to put the disappointing performance behind them as they turn their attentions to the trip to Anfield on Sunday.
Despite lying on 15th position on the LaLiga table, Valencia were far more threatening in the first half and took the lead in the 17th minute when Soler finished with a low-driven shot.
United’s first clear chance fell to Juan Mata 10 minutes late, unfortunately his effort got deflected behind.
Paul Pogba produced a glaring miss from close range after Marouane Fellaini headed towards goal, but was spared by the offside flag.
On-loan Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi missed a free header inside the box before Soler saw his shot blocked.
The second goal came in the 47th minute when Jones knocked a through ball past goalkeeper Sergio Romero from the edge of his own box.
It was until the 72nd minute before United managed to have their first shot on target, but Rashford’s 25-yard effort was an easy stop by goalkeeper Jaume Domenech
The visitors picked up their momentum late in the game but their only consolation was a header from Rashford with 3 minutes remaining on the clock; leaving it too late to snatch an unlikely equaliser.
GOALS:
Carlos Soler (17’), Phil Jones 47’ OG)
Marcus Rashford (87’)
Valencia CF: Jaume Domenech, Cristian Piccini, Ruben Vezo, Mouctar Diakhaby, Toni Lato (Ezequiel Garay 51’), Carlos Soler, Dani Parejo, Geoffery Kondogbia, Denis Cheryshev (Ferran Torres 66’), Michy Batshuayi, Santi Mina (Rodrigo Moreno 68’)
Manchester United: Sergio Romero, Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo (Ashley Young 46’), Fred (Marcus Rashford 57’), Mauroane Fellaini, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Andreas Pereira, Romelu Lukaku (Jesse Lingard 69’)
