GROUNDHAG DAY

The nightmare is likely to go on and on for Erik as major rivals Bayern and Liverpool loom large in a winter of misery for United

- DAVID MCDONNELL

THE major worry for Manchester United is their plight is likely to get a whole lot worse before it gets better.

In a season of crushing lows, this was the biggest of them all, United humiliated by players who cost a fraction of the £350million side Erik ten Hag put out.

Goals from Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi did the damage and the scoreline in no way flattered Bournemouth.

Boundless joy for the Cherries, then, but utter despondency for Ten Hag and his players, whose next two opponents are hardly likely to show them mercy.

Tomorrow, United host Group A winners Bayern Munich in a game they must win to have any chance of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.

Even if they manage to do that, which seems fanciful on the back of this insipid display, Copenhagen and Galatasaray must draw in the other game for United to progress. No wonder Harry Maguire (above, right) and Facundo Pellistri (centre) looked so distraught.