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As it happenedended

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

Nathan Jacobs
Wednesday 12 December 2018 19:21 GMT
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Valencia v Manchester United: Champions League match preview

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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.

72 mins: Rashford lines up a shot from 25 yards but it's too tame and just goes into the hands of Domenech with ease. 

And...that was their first shot on target. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 21:32

75 mins: WOAH! 

What a shot from Andreas Pereira and he forces a strong save from Domenech who pushes it out for a corner. 

He must've taken range from at least 30 yards. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 21:35

76 mins: CHANCE CITY! 

What an effort from Foden, Stockport's Iniesta. 

The youngster watches Sterling's cross field ball all the way and unleashes a fabulous volley on gaol but Baumann tips it over for a corner. 

City playing some slick stuff, once again. 

Meanwhile, they're rivals in red are failing to impress...once again.

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 21:39

81 mins: CALM DOWN! 

Rashford brings the only fight United have shown all evening by crashing into Vezo. 

It's incredibly late and one of the clearest yellow cards you're ever going to see. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 21:42

83 mins: Pogba has United's most testing effort of the game so far, from the left-hand side as his dipping effort is set to go in but it stings the palms of Domenech who clears. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 21:44

GOAL! Valencia 2-1 United (Rashford) 

All three substitutes combine to give United a lifeline. 

Lingard just about keeps the ball in place, lays it back off to Young who takes a touch and swings in a delightful cross. 

Rashford leaps well and connects with it, sending it into the bottom corner powerfully. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 21:48

89 mins: CHANCE UNITED! 

What a great chance for Mata! 

Pogba does something good and his dinked ball find Mata free in the box but his shot is skewed and goes wide and out for no danger. 

That would've given United a chance to press for a late winner, somehow. 

Now, three minutes of added time. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 21:50

Rashford retrieving the ball to get a move on...  

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 21:53

FULL TIME: Valencia 2-1 Manchester United 

A truly uninspiring 80 minutes from Manchester United did the damage for the Red Devils who finish second in the group behind Juventus who also lost 2-1, to Young Boys. 

Marcus Rashford pulled one back for United but it was too little too late and while Mata had a great chance to salvage the game, he squandered it and United deserved to taste defeat. 

They'll need to do this better this weekend as they face no small task in the shape of Liverpool on Sunday..... 

Yikes. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 21:55

Full Time: Manchester City 2-1 Hoffenheim 

A really entertaining game at the Etihad which could have seen another 10 goals to be honest sees City come out with all three points. 

They finish atop the group with Sane stealing the show courtesy of his brace. 

His free-kick was the main highlight of the 90 minutes but they'll hoping they can bounce back in the Premier League, facing Everton at home on the weekend. 

They need to make gains on the other Merseyside club... who take on United. 

The Blue half might be supporting the Red half of Manchester for a change this weekend. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 21:57

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