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Wolfsburg oust Manchester United from UEFA Champions League

Xinhua, December 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

The "Wolves" moved 3-2 past Manchester United to eliminate Louis van Gaal's men from UEFA Champions League's group stage on Tuesday.

   Dieter Hecking's men came from behind thanks to the brace by Naldo and Vieirinha's goal to progress into the Champions League's round of the last 16 for the first time in the club's history. Meanwhile, the "Red Devils" crashed out of the competition to move into the Europa League.

   Wolfsburg needed a victory to secure the top spot in Group B whereas Manchester United was in need of a victory or a loss by Dutch side PSV Eindhoven to guarantee their progression. 

   Louis van Gaal men caught thus a fairy-tale start on the road as Juan Mata's pinpoint pass into path found Anthony Martial, who slotted the opener past Wolfsburg keeper Diego Benaglio with 10 minutes played.

   The hosts remained unimpressed and responded only four minutes later through Naldo, who volleyed home Ricardo Rodriguez' cross into the box to restore parity. Wolfsburg gained momentum and bounced back in the 29th minute after Julian Draxler solo effort and one-two with Max Kruse allowed Vieirinha to slot home into the open goal from very close range.

   After the restart both sides exchanged offensive actions keeping both custodians a busy. Wolfsburg keeper Diego Benaglio defused Memphis Depay's sideways scissor kick from inside the box before David de Gea was on guard twice to deny Andre Schuerrle's attempts.

   However, Manchester United were able to level the scores in the closing period as Joshua Guilavogui headed a clearance into the wrong goal. It looked like the visitors could secure their progression but Naldo nodded home a corner by Marcel Schaefer to snatch his brace and the 3-2 victory for Wolfsburg.

   "Now it is over in the Champions League. We now have to wait until next year, but we have got enough to fight for, the FA Cup and the Premier League," Louis van Gaal said. 

   Dieter Hecking, who ensured the first knockout stage for Wolfsburg in the club's history, added: "We deserved the victory today. My team executed well. However, Manchester United still had too many chances for my liking."

   With the result, Wolfsburg clinched the top spot in Group B meanwhile Manchester United slumped from the second to the third place to qualify for the Europa League. The "Wolves" completed the group stage atop the table with 12 points followed by PSV Eindhoven (10 points), Manchester United (8 points) and CSKA Moskva (4 points).  Endi