Champions League: Manchester United hobble through to the last 16 despite loss to Valencia

Manchester United scraped through to the last 16 of the Champions League after they were handed a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium on Thursday.

The Premier League club was already guaranteed of a spot in the last 16 and needed a victory to finish on the top of the group, which would have made the future proceedings a lot easier for Jose Mourinho’s men.

But once again, it was a poor performance from his team that has struggled all season against a side that is 15th in the La Liga. Yet they lost to Valencia, who didn’t play their regular starting XI.

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Carlos Soler came up with a classy low shot from a headed clearance from Phil Jones in the 17th minute. Yet again, it was Jones who was hugely responsible for Valencia’s second goal as he directed a through ball into his own net when Sergio Romero was off his line to collect the ball.

But United were shown a ray of hope through Marcus Rashford headed a cross from Ashley Young as late as in the 87th minute. Juan Mata could have levelled the score later but his volley from inside the box off a ball from Paul Pogba went wide.