Valencia vs Manchester United as it happened: Jose Mourinho's side miss chance to top Champions League group

Re-live all the action from the Mestalla

Valencia v Manchester United: Champions League match preview

Manchester United blew the chance to top their Champions League group as Jose Mourinho's much-changed side slumped to a 2-1 loss at Valencia.

Progress to the last 16 was already assured ahead of the trip to the Mestalla, yet this was a chance for Paul Pogba and Co to prove their worth and secure a win that would see them top Group H in the unlikely event that Juventus slipped up in Switzerland.

The improbable played out 650 miles away as Young Boys secured a remarkable 2-1 win against the Serie A behemoths but United failed to capitalise as they lost by the same scoreline in Spain, with Marcus Rashford grabbing a late consolation after Carlos Soler struck and Phil Jones turned into his own goal.

It was a largely lifeless, incoherent display from Mourinho's men and awful preparation for Sunday's trip to Premier League-leading rivals Liverpool.

Key Points

Valencia XI: Domenech; Piccini, Ruben Vezo, Diakhaby, Lato; Soler, Kondogbia, Parejo, Cheryshev; Batshuayi, Mina

[12 December 2018 19:52 · Nathan Jacobs]

Yikes! Ten minutes away from kick off at Mestalla and the Etihad... 

[12 December 2018 20:00 · Nathan Jacobs]

Kick off in Manchester and Spain as both City and United get underway... 

Stay here for all the live updates. 

[12 December 2018 20:07 · Nathan Jacobs]

3 mins: Positive start to the match by United who create a good counter attacking chance which is unsurprisingly quelled courtesy of Lukaku who's heavy touch runs away from him. 

I fear there may be more to come of that. 

[12 December 2018 20:07 · Nathan Jacobs]

6 mins: As I write this, Valencia have a good chance to take the lead as their shot is deflected to Kondogbia who beats Jones into the box and stabs the ball towards goal but the referee gives a goal kick, to their dismay. 

[12 December 2018 20:09 · Nathan Jacobs]

6 mins: Man City 0-0 Hoffenheim 

Meanwhile in Manchester, it appears our very own Jack Pitt-Brooke is enjoying himself... 

[12 December 2018 20:13 · Nathan Jacobs]

9 mins: CRUNCHING TACKLE!

Some might argue that Valencia is lucky to stay on the pitch after a nasty tackle on the young left back, Lato, starting his first Champions League match. 

[12 December 2018 20:16 · Nathan Jacobs]

12 mins: CHANCE HOFFENHEIM!

The German club break at pace at Man City and the ball is pulled back to the former Leicester City player, lurking on the edge of the box. 

He casually sidefoots the ball towards goal but his shot goes narrowly over the bar.  

[12 December 2018 20:19 · Nathan Jacobs]

17 mins: GOAL!! Valencia 1-0 United (Soler) 

Far too easy for the Valencia winger as the ball falls to him in the box after a defensive clearance. 

He has too much time to take a touch and his shot is like an arrow, accurately struck past the flat-footed Sergio Romero, through the legs of Eric Bailly.

[12 December 2018 20:21 · Nathan Jacobs]

16 mins: GOAL! Man City 0-1 Hoffenheim (Kramaric!) 

It's a deserved lead for the German side and their fans go wild. 

Laporte felled the Hoffenheim attackers to give away the spotkick and Kramaric finished it with aplomb, knocking it down the middle. 

Moments before this, an incredible fingertip save from Ederson kept Kramaric out once again. 

City need to up their game. 

If things stay like this and Lyon beat Shakhtar, Lyon will finish top. 

[12 December 2018 20:25 · Nathan Jacobs]

20 mins: CHANCE CITY! 

A set piece this time provides City with their best chance to equalise as John Stones finds himself free in the box but his header is well saved by Baumann...just!