German newspaper Bild pulled no punches with their player ratings for Manchester United‘s defeat to Bayern Munich, labelling United winger Alejandro Garnacho as a ‘hooligan’.
Garnacho angered German media when he tustled for the ball with Bayern winger Kingsley Coman, before nudging the Frenchman down the pitchside slope and into one of the advertising hoardings with a thud.
Bild hailed Hary Kane for confronting ‘hooligan’ Garnacho in the immediate aftermath, but on a night where United were unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League, finishing bottom of Group A, Garnacho was still not the worst performer in Bild’s eyes.
The newspaper’s savage grades are based on a German school grading system – effectively 1 is the best and 6 is the worst.
Garnacho was one of seven players to be awarded a grade of 4, but lone striker Rasmus Hojlund, who found himself a peripheral and ineffectual figure on the night, dismissed with a grade of 5.
Alejandro Garnacho (front) was picked out for criticism by German newspaper Bild
Bruno Fernandes (left) was United’s best-rated player in Bild’s latest savage player ratings
Hojlund struggled for service and when he did he was swallowed up by centre back pairing Dayot Upamecano, who was graded 2 in Bild’s eyes, and Kim Min-jae, who also received a 2 grade.
Bayern went into the game secure as Group A winners and while they were not at their imperious best they did respond to the weekend’s 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
As well as the two centre backs, Coman, who got the game’s only goal, and defensive midfielder Leon Gortezka, were also given grades of 2.
It was United’s side where Bild decided to stick the boot in.
Raphael Varane, starting for the first time in seven weeks as Ten Hag looked to use the experience of the four-time Champions League winner, was dismissed for what was perceived as a poor game.
His centre back pairing Harry Maguire – who limped off in the first half with an apparent groin issue – was also savaged with a grade of 4.
The best-rated United players could only muster a grade of 3, with captain Bruno Fernandes joined by full-backs Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw on that mark.
United midfielders Scott McTominay and Sofyan Amrabat were both adjudged to have fell flat, picking up grades of 4, while goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has seen this Champions League campaign littered with mistakes, picked up the same mark, with some fans unhappy at his positioning for Coman’s goal.
Striker Rasmus Hojlund (centre) picked up the worst grade from a United player on Tuesday
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Things go from bad to worse for Ten Hag and Manchester United, but victorious Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is backing his adversary to turn it around.
‘Of course I have sympathy,’ Tuchel said. ‘I think he has a lot of key players injured for a decisive match now [against Liverpool], that you can see then they lack this kind of personality and also the quality and maybe the width to change games from the bench. I think you could see that.
‘Yeah, it’s not an easy time but I’m pretty sure he knows what to do next, he knows how to influence his team, he does not need my advice. He does not need my clapping on the shoulders. He’s experienced enough to go through it.’
