Manchester United made another early exit from the Champions League on Tuesday night, as they were knocked out on home turf by Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.
The fallout did not take long to ignite on Twitter, with pundits, journalists, and Manchester United fans weighing in on the sloppy Champions League exit.
Manchester United: angry reaction to club's CL exit at hands of Atletico Madrid
There was plenty of finger pointing in the aftermath of Manchester United's Champions League loss against Atletico on Tuesday night. Their defensive performance was disjointed, superstars like Bruno Fernandes failed to deliver, and the side as a whole looked shell shocked against the long-established tactics of Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.
The reaction on social media was strong against Ralf Rangnick's side. The infamously outspoken Mark Goldbridge was in typical form. He was infuriated by the United side claiming a foul on Anthony Elanga in the buildup to Atletico's only goal, saying:
[Atletico have] elite mentality, that is 'I'm a professional footballer, I've not got the free-kick, there's no point in moaning, get back into position.'
That's what Simeone has drilled into that team, year after year: discipline, focus. If you don't get the free-kick, get up and get back into position.
What do we do? We don't get the free-kick, we moan, moan, moan, everybody's thinking about the free-kick, and what happens? We concede within a minute, because we've lost concentration. All season we've lost concentration. Players have lost it.
It's weak leadership, it's a weak dressing room, and it's absolutely true: that dressing room has more holes in it than a second-hand dart board. It is riddled with holes, it is leaking everywhere.
It will get worse over the next 18 months. This club is absolutely fucked - because it's run by money men and the board haven't got a fucking clue.
Goldbridge's words were arguably the strongest of any major personality in the media, but they were not the only ones shared.
"THIS CLUB IS F*CKED, ABSOLUTELY F*CKED!" 😡@markgoldbridge says United were taught a lesson in mentality today, and Atletico's goal highlighted that to a T. What are your thoughts? 👇
Join ➡️ https://t.co/sAvjNzIBpw pic.twitter.com/mVTdTPuadF— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) March 15, 2022
BBC journalist Simon Stone was among the many football writers who shared their thoughts on Manchester United's early Champions League exit.
Stone explained that United were completely unprepared for the inevitable cynicism and game management from Atletico Madrid, and that played into their downfall. Others focused on the structural failings at the club, and the underperforming stars at the heart of the team.
When I asked Rangnick yesterday about importance of scoring first, it was because of the danger Atletico pose. Long periods can drift away with hardly anything happening and Utd not good enough to stop it.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) March 15, 2022
Season finished. No chance on top 4. Need to make some massive decisions and not pander. Maguire cannot be captain next season.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) March 15, 2022
No structure in place. No template of the way they want to play. No long term in place. Following the curve instead of being ahead of it. No ingenuity behind the scenes. Drifting further and further away from the elite and more into mediocrity.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) March 15, 2022
Man United's gross transfer spend is £1.4 billion over the past 10 years and since 2011 they've won two Champions League knock-out ties.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) March 15, 2022
Muddled Manchester United.
Juan Mata, after 172 minutes this season, tasked with performing at most crucial stage.
Darren Fletcher, technical director, booked for complaining.
Harry Maguire, captain, in stands.#MUFC— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) March 15, 2022
#mufc will stray close to six years without a trophy. The last time that happened was in 1974 and they were relegated. Unless they somehow finish fourth this has been the worst season post-Ferguson. Did not manage the occasion at all tonight.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) March 15, 2022
MUFC 0 Atletico 1. MUFC out of Europe. Horrible game. Which is exactly how Simeone wanted it.
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) March 15, 2022
Some, on the other hand, much preferred to see the funny side of things.
Duncan Alexander shared a hilarious poke at United's dire form, while Gary Lineker was among those who predicted the use of the phrase "This is Manchester United" in post-match analysis.
It's not all doom & gloom, United end their 21-22 CL campaign with one more goal than Sebastien Haller who has got loads of praise this season
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) March 15, 2022
It’s ‘this is Man Utd o’clock’.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 15, 2022
Given how much the club spent last summer, the fact that Manchester United are out of all knockout competitions and scrapping for a place in the top four marks the worst season since Alex Ferguson's departure.
It is hard to see any light amid all the doom and gloom at Old Trafford these days.
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