Man United Set to Suffer Without Champions League!

It was brutal, it was heartbreaking but to be fair, the result was probably fair.

Bayern Munich over two legs were clearly the better team but Manchester United, a shadow of their former selves, were actually much better than people expected them to be and at times had control of the tie over the current German, European and world champions and Laureus team of the year.


Indeed, credit to David Moyes' men who gave it their very best shot against an opposition that was always going to be superior to them but ultimately it was not enough and England's most successful team over the last 20 years is set for a long spell away from Europe's top flight.

This is because in the league, United are 7 points behind Arsenal who hold the last Champions League spot in 4th place and even though the Gunners' form has been poor of late, United are definitely behind Everton and Tottenham in the race to usurp Arsenal for that final Champions League spot - they are on 63 and 59 points respectively.

United's only other hope of returning to Europe's top flight next season was to win the competition which now is out of the window.

Effectively, United don't really have a hope of making the Champions League but could still make the Europa League by finishing 6th as a result of Manchester City winning the Capital One Cup and being in the Champions League already.

United have provided many of the Champions League's great moments

Perhaps not having European football next season could be a good thing or United - Liverpool this season have definitely benefited from not having to play midweek in Europe and look set to return to the Champions League at the very least, even if they miss on the title.

However, unlike Liverpool, United have a side on the down and requires major rebuilding so could very well spend one or two seasons away from the competition that they've effectively been the family couch for.

Financially, it will be a big blow for United with United missing out on the TV revenue from the Champions League but United are a strong enough club and should be alright even without participation in Europe's premier competition. On the player side though, it will be tough to sign the best players without the carrot of playing in the Champions League - as Liverpool's manager, Brendan Rodgers said earlier this season, "it is nigh on impossible to sign the best players in the world when they have to pick between a club playing regular Champions League football over one that isn't there."

So the Champions League and Manchester United bid farewell to each other in the hope that their time apart won't be a long one.

Another glorious Champions League moment at Old Trafford