Manchester United and Manchester City bowed out of the Europa League after their respective defeats against Athletic Bibao and Sporting Lisbon.
United went into the second leg at San Mames stadium after succumbing to a 2-3 defeat against their Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford. Any hopes of their comeback into the tie were quashed by Bilbao’s dominant and impressive performance, which saw them overpower
the English league leaders 2-1 on the night. Atletico Bibao claimed the tie 5-3 on aggregate.
The other Manchester side met the same fate as they made their exit from the competition on the same day. Even though the citizen’s made a spirited comeback against Sporting Lisbon after trailing 2-0 at the end of the first half, the three goals they scored
in the second half were not enough for the home side to salvage the tie as they lost on the away-goal rule.
United’s manager http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Ferguson blamed his defence for the poor showing against Bilbao, who are currently seventh in the Spanish league table. But he admitted that Bilbao were a much better side on the day.
“I don’t think we can complain about the result. I think that, in the second half in particular, Bilbao were the better team.”
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcos-c23772 doubled the lead for the home side when he netted the ball in the second half. Rooney scored a goal for united in the
80th minute which proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
Although Bilbao were abundantly wasteful with their opportunities, they will be pleased with the outcome of the tie.
Meanwhile, City went close of completing a memorable comeback against Sporting Lisbon at the Etihad stadium after trailing 3-0 on aggregate at the end of the first half. City lost the first leg 1-0 at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mario-Balotelli-c23937 scored from the spot kick to reduce Lisbon’s lead to 3-2. Aguero then blasted the third goal for city in the 82nd minute to create an electric atmosphere at the stadium with
the city fans hopeful of a dramatic victory for their team.
City’s goal keeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Joe-Hart-c18699 almost grabbed the winner in the 95th minute when he got at the end of a Nigel de Jong’s cross but his header was kept away by Rui Patricio with what turned out to be the last move of the match. Lisbon won the tie on
2 away goals.
Both, Manchester United and Manchester City are now out of the Champions League and Europa League and look to fight it out for the league title this season.
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