Manchester United Women lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich in the Women’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
Bayern broke the deadlock inside the second minute. Pernille Harder latched onto a ball over the top, shrugged off Maya Le Tissier, and picked out the bottom corner.
United drew level in the 24th minute from the penalty spot after captain Glodis Viggosdottir committed a handball.
Le Tissier stepped up and converted, slotting past goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic to level the scores.
Another chance fell to United following nice build-up which set Melvine Malard up on the edge of the box, but she could not hit the target.
There were chances for both sides to go ahead before half-time. First, Lea Schuller headed wide before Bernadette Amani fired over from a promising position.
United started the second half brightly, with Fridolina Rolfo firing straight into the arms of Mahmutovic.
Bayern’s first clear sight of goal after the restart saw Harder send a tame effort straight at Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Linda Dallmann then volleyed over as the Bavarians pushed to regain the lead.
Harder put Bayern ahead again in the 71st minute, collecting Linda Dallmann’s through pass, running inside the box and slotting past Tullis-Joyce.
Moments later, United restored parity through Hanna Lundkvist, with the Swedish full-back heading in from a corner.
However, Momoko Tanikawa ensured Bayern returned to Germany with the advantage, curling into the far corner in the 84th minute.
United host rivals Manchester City on Saturday before next Wednesday’s second leg at FC Bayern Campus.