Video: Brave United Women narrowly fall to 2-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in tough European lesson

Manchester United Women fell 3-2 to Bayern Munich in a topsy-turvy tie at Old Trafford. First half The Red Devils got off to the worst possible start when the visitors took the lead after just two minutes. Arianna Caruso launched a long ball forward into the Reds’ penalty area and Danish forward Pernille Harder beat Maya Le Tissier for pace and slotted the ball past Phallon Tullis-Joyce into the back of the net. Julia Zigiotti responded with a shot that was saved by the Bayern keeper, and Jess Park also tried her luck but to no avail. Good combination play from Hinata Miyazawa and Jess Park led to Lea Schuller being played in, and her cross was blocked by an arm just after 20 minutes. A penalty was awarded, and Maya Le Tissier stepped up to rifle the spot kick home after 24 minutes. Melvine Malard had a low shot that was saved by Ena Mahmutovic before Bayern responded through Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir, whose volley narrowly went over the crossbar. The half-time whistle blew with the scores level at 1-1. Second half The second half started at a much slower pace, and United’s first real chance came when Hanna Lundkvist’s cross floated onto the roof of the net. United were once again behind, though, after incisive play by the Bavarians. Japan star Momoko Tanikawa played a ball through to Harder, and she once again beat the United defence to fire into the net. United took only a matter of minutes to respond and brought the score back to 2-2. Hanna Lundkvist nodded in Le Tissier’s corner to bring a great roar from the Old Trafford faithful. Unfortunately, United could not score the next goal, and that role fell to the impressive Tanikawa. The Bayern player curled a wonderful effort well past Tullis-Joyce, who had no chance. The full-time whistle blew and, in spite of a brave effort, United know they have it all left to do to win at the Allianz Arena in Munich next Wednesday, 1st April. Maya Le Tissier stats vs Bayern Munich StatValue Goals1 Assists1 Def. contributions9 Tackles (won)0 (0) Interceptions2 Clearances6 Blocked shots1 Ground duels (won)0 (0) Aerial duels (won)2 (2) Dribbled past0 Big chances created1 Key passes1 Crosses (accurate)2 (1) Accurate passes85/90 (94%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)18/23 (78%) Passes in own half (acc.)67/67 (100%) Long balls (accurate)6/10 (60%) Touches108 Dribbles (successful)0 (0) Possession lost7 Total carrying distance247 m Carries34 Total progression119.2 m Total shots1 Shots on target1 Shots blocked0 Source: Sofascore Feature image Molly Darlington via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.