Champions League: Rounding up the Manchester clubs after their inclusion in the knockout round

When there’s no news of Jose Mourinho, you know somethings up. Besides the old man’s antics everything seems to be okay in Manchester.

Not here to talk about performances under Jose and the differences between him Pep. Well, not yet. I’m here talking about the result first, and what it means heading into the final game of group action. Last night was an important night for Manchester.

Both teams arguably, were in a better state of affairs than their counterparts playing this evening. And because of them not falling victim to losses against their individual opponents, they’ve now become the first teams from England to qualify.

Manchester club results

Manchester Untied 1-0 Young Boys
Lyon 2-2 Manchester City

There was no doubting City, but it was a rough ride…

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The team who gave Man City a good shaking was the same team who gave them their second wakening of the season. A near defeat accomplished by the home side on the night, Lyon. Over the two legs, the French side was the better side.

Goal scorers: Lyon – Maxwell Comet 55′; 81′
City – Aymeric Laporte 62′
Sergio Aguero 82′

A goal up after the halfway mark, then became a game level. Not letting the crowd rest on their feet, Lyon came in with a second. However, it was not their night, and Pep’s men equalised for the second and final time of the game.

It was also the final moment, and the token point taken assured Pep’s men were the first through the door of the English teams. Pep’s men complete the group and now remain fighting on all four fronts… Again!

Standings for both Manchester clubs

Group F

Man City – 10 Points
Lyon – 7 Points
Shakhtar Donetsk – 5 points
Hoffenheim – 3 points

Group H

Juventus – 12 Points
Man United – 10 Points
Valencia – 5 Points
Young Boys – 1 Point

The Jose show didn’t disappoint but only in the final minute

If I were a United fan, I’d be moaning about the awful shenanigans on the pitch. Gladly, I’m not. What has been fun to watch is Jose Mourinho lose the plot a bit. But what some are mistaking for utter madness. I say, is passion.

Jose’s men had over enough chances to get the game going in the early part. But quality in the final third meant it was going to take all night to get ahead and secure a feeling of confidence. Although it was a bad on the sideline for Jose, the result in the other fixture went well in favour of the Red Devils and they can rest assured they follow their Manchester haters into the all-important knockout round.

Goal scorer: Man United – Marouane Fellaini 90+1′

So with all this being said… Despite the boring and dreadful showing on the pitch, United’s still heading where they need to. And that’s alongside their rivals, City.