Valencia 2-1 Manchester United: Marcus Rashford scores late goal as United fail to top group

Manchester United blew the chance to finish top of Champions League Group H as they produced a dire display in a 2-1 defeat to Valencia.

With Juventus suffering a surprise 2-1 loss to Young Boys, United would have topped the group if they had won at the Mestalla.

But that never looked likely from the moment Carlos Soler struck for the hosts after 17 minutes.

Phil Jones’ dreadful own goal early in the second half put Valencia further ahead and United could only pull a goal back in the 87th minute through Marcus Rashford.

By then it was too late and United will look to put the result and performance behind them as they turn their attentions to facing Liverpool on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League.

Perhaps with one eye on the trip to Anfield – and not expecting Juventus to slip up against Young Boys – United made eight changes for their final group game.

Valencia are 15th in La Liga but were far more threatening in the first half and took the lead in the 17th minute when Soler finished with a low shot across goal.

United’s first opening fell to Juan Mata in the 27th minute but he saw a shot deflected behind.

Paul Pogba produced a glaring miss from close range after Marouane Fellaini headed goalwards, but his blushes were spared by the offside flag, which went up incorrectly.

As Young Boys took the lead against Juventus in the other Group H match, Valencia should have added to their advantage.

On-loan Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi missed a free header from in front of goal before Soler saw an effort blocked.

The second goal arrived in the 47th minute when Jones slid and knocked a through ball past goalkeeper Sergio Romero from the edge of his own box.