Premier League’s Unwanted Record: Man Utd and Newcastle’s Early Champions League Exits
Manchester United and Newcastle United’s early Champions League departures have set an unwelcome Premier League record. Both clubs endured disappointing campaigns, finishing at the bottom of their respective groups. Newcastle faced heartbreak against AC Milan, losing 2-1 despite a promising position. Meanwhile, United’s exit came with a dismal defeat to Bayern Munich, securing just four points from six games.
This simultaneous elimination marks a Premier League first, where two of its teams concluded at the bottom of their Champions League groups. While prior seasons saw individual teams like Blackburn Rovers (1995/96), United (2005/06), and Manchester City (2012/13) face similar fates, this collective failure adds a layer of embarrassment for the league.
United’s exit was sealed by a Kingsley Coman goal and Copenhagen’s victory over Galatasaray. Newcastle, however, had added frustration with a contentious penalty decision against PSG affecting their fate. Yet, manager Eddie Howe refrained from solely blaming that incident for their Champions League exit.
Reflecting on the setback, Howe expressed pride in his team’s effort despite a stretched squad. He emphasized using disappointments as fuel for motivation and learning experiences to bolster future performances.
While Arsenal and Manchester City remain in the Champions League, the Europa League features a stronger English representation with West Ham, Liverpool, and Brighton in the knockout stages. Aston Villa competes in the Conference League.
