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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 14:21 EST
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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.

26 mins: CHANCE UNITED! 

Mata's strike is deflected away for a corner from a tight angle. 

The chance comes to nothing, though.

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 20:28

27 mins: Spate of bookings at Mestalla as Lato gets some retribution against Valencia, receiving a yellow and Bailly also receives one for taking out Domenech. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 20:31

30 mins: CHANCE VALENCIA!

What a chance for Batshuayi and it's all too easy for Valencia. 

They switch the ball to the right with ease and Soler's ball in is a beauty. 

It reaches the Belgian striker but he doesn't connect with his head, with the ball coming off his shoulder and flying high to safety. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 20:33

33 mins: CHANCE VALENCIA! 

2 more chances come and go for the Spaniards as Parejo's corner is met by Soler who forces Romero into a good save.

They recycle the ball but Diakhaby can't reach the crossed ball. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 20:35

34 mins: HOW HAS HE MISSED? 

Paul Pogba has missed an absolute sitter but will be relieved to have turned around and seen the offside flag up (albeit wrongly). 

Fellaini outmuscles the defender and wins the header, flicked on to the far post where Pogba is lurking but he somehow puts his shot wide. 

I genuinely have no idea how. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 20:37

33 mins: CITY HIT THE BAR! 

Twice in this half they've been denied by the bar and this time it's Otamendi's header who finds the bar following Gundogan's fantastic free-kick. 

Hoffenheim living dangerously but they have been very impressive going forward too. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 20:38

I told you it was bad... 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 20:43

Meanwhile, Young Boys are doing the unthinkable and are currently leading against Juventus. 

It's a shame United aren't doing anything about it, at the moment. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 20:44

43 mins: CHANCE VALENCIA!

Batshuayi again after good work from the Spanish side on the left hand side. 

Cheryshev works the ball nicely to Mina who then feeds the Belgian striker. 

However, he loses his composure just as he prepares to shoot and watches his effort balloon wide. 

Valencia on top. 

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 20:45

Valencia 1-0 United 

United go in at the break without a shot on target and looking like they have no direction and no idea. 

Valencia have been the better side and Soler's impressive strike gives them a much deserved half-time lead. 

Can Mourinho's side recover in the second half?

Nathan Jacobs12 December 2018 20:50

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