UEFA Champions League
Result: Valencia 2-1 Manchester United
Date: 12 December 2018
Venue: Mestalla
Manchester United ended the UEFA Champions League group stage phase with defeat after losing 2-1 to Valencia at the Mestalla on Wednesday night.
Paul Pogba returned to the line up along with Fred and Andreas Pereira , while David de Gea and Nemanja Matic were rested ahead of the weekend's clash against Liverpool.
Valencia were playing for nothing but pride as they already had third spot sewn up heading into the encounter, while United need a win to top the group.
It was the hosts who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute as a poor clearance fell at the feet of Carlos Soler, who drilled the ball into the far corner.
United should have levelled matters in the 35th minute when Pogba was left un-marked at the far post, but the Frenchman somehow placed his effort wide of the mark from six-yards out.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they were unable to carve out another clear-cut chance before the break while Valencia did manage to threaten on a couple occasions.
It got worse for United shortly after the break as Phil Jones passed the ball into his own net after mis-communication with goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
Jose Mourinho responded by withdrawing Fred before the hour mark and introducing Marcus Rashford in an attempt to reduce the deficit.
The Red Devils went close to pulling a goal back in the 74th minute through Pereira, whose long-range strike was palmed away by Cristiano Piccini.
Rashford did reduce the deficit with four minutes remaining in the second half after nodding home Ashley Young's cross into the bottom corner.
Juan Mata nearly snatched the equaliser late on but the Spaniard failed to convert from close range as Valencia held on for the win, while United finish second in the group.
