It “would be a failure” if Manchester United don’t get out of the Champions League group this season, says football journalist Andy Mitten.
The Red Devils threw away yet another lead against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Wednesday to leave their future in this season’s competition out of their hands.
“This is Manchester United in the Champions League this season,” Mitten told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast. “The 3-3 result shouldn’t have happened, but it doesn’t stun me.
“It’s probably better if Manchester United were to go into the Europa League because I think this team are not good enough to win the Champions League and would have a better chance going though in the Europa League.
“There are almost two Manchester Uniteds. The Champions League one where we see lots of goals and lots of exciting football – like the first half in Bayern Munich they played really well. There was a lot of jeopardy in the game at Old Trafford when Galatasaray got that win, the Copenhagen game was thrilling for a neutral as was this game in Istanbul.”
Despite being the most in-form team in the Premier League, Erik ten Hag’s side have put in less than convincing performances and in Europe have been punished for defensive errors.
“United have not played too many games well this season,” Mitten added. “The match against Everton was the first time United have won a Premier League game by more than one goal and were pretty convincing with that, but to take one point from six from Galatasaray is poor.
“Not to get out of the group would be a failure and expectations are higher at Manchester United. It’s one win from all of those games in the Champions League, it simply is not good enough.”
