FC Bayern Munchen News

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he is “never” able to select his strongest XI because of squad inconsistencies and injuries.

Speaking ahead of United’s trip to the Allianz Arena to face Bayern Munich on Wednesday, the Dutchman explained he was concerned by his squad’s injury record, with up to 12 first-team players currently sidelined.

Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount are among those on the injured list, with Ten Hag also confirming Harry Maguire will miss this week’s Champions League commitments with a “complaint”. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has also been lost since the weekend.

Jadon Sancho and Antony remain unavailable due to respective off-field issues.

Of United’s 21-man travelling squad, four are goalkeepers, while Ten Hag has only been able to name five defenders.

“One thing is true, from the start of last season I don’t think I ever started with, in my opinion, the best starting XI,” Ten Hag said. “There was always injuries.

“We always got results apart from the period we are in now. I have experienced it in the past and managed it. You have to deal with it. I like these situations because you have to handle it and know what to do, and that is focusing on the process.”

The United boss is already under scrutiny, and things could get a lot more uncomfortable if his side suffers defeat against the six-time European champions in one of the standout fixtures of the opening week.

United have lost three of their opening five Premier League games, including last weekend’s 3-1 home reverse against Brighton.

“The doctors are dealing with the problems,” he added. “First of all, injuries always come in top football because we are living on the edge.

“Of course, we analyse why things happen, but we also have to deal with the effects. We have to get the best out of it. We need to make the next step, integrating Rasmus Hojlund and Sergio Reguilon.”

Ten Hag’s belief about their path is why he is not getting thrown off kilter by the negativity heading into United’s first Champions League match in 18 months.

“No, we don’t feel that we need a reset,” the former Bayern Munich reserve boss said. “Absolutely not. We are in a process and what you see is that in parts of games we play very good but then also in parts of games we played below our levels.”

Kane: Teams in poor form can be dangerous

While Harry Kane has scored four goals already in the Bundesliga and Bayern are level on points with leaders Bayern Leverkusen, he has warned against reading too much into United’s contrasting form.

The striker, who played in five Champions League campaigns with Tottenham before signing for Bayern in the summer, said underestimating United would be dangerous.

“They’ve been going through a tough spell recently but sometimes that can make a team dangerous because they want to respond,” Kane, who was reportedly a prior target for at Old Trafford, told reporters.

“We’re at home and want to control the game but we need to be careful of their threat.

“I don’t think about form because every game can be different. There can be big response from teams going through a difficult spell.”

Kane and co could heap more pressure on slow-starting Man Utd

Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:

There will be something of a ‘here’s what you could have won’ feeling for Man Utd supporters watching Harry Kane face up against their side in Bayern Munich colours on Wednesday.

With a striker Erik ten Hag’s top priority in the summer transfer window, United’s desire to sign the England captain was no secret. But finances and Tottenham’s preference not to sell to a Premier League rival proved problematic.

Now an in-form Kane could add to their mounting early-season problems in Bavaria. Defensive and attacking numbers are on the decline for Ten Hag’s men, off-field issues are multiplying and a return of three defeats from their first five Premier League games has alarm bells ringing.

If the loss at home to Brighton on Saturday was a reality check, the fear is Bayern could deal an even more damaging blow to their morale and expectations for this season.

The return to the Champions League has been craved after a season away. This is where Man Utd feel they belong. But unless there’s a significant step-change against Kane and co, things could be about to get even more troublesome for Ten Hag’s travelling side in Munich.

Harry Kane maintains Bayern Munich always felt like the right choice for his
next club as the England striker prepares to face Manchester United in the
Champions League.

Kane left Tottenham for Bayern in a deal which could be worth up to £100m ahead of the summer transfer window closing.

Reports suggested United were one of the English clubs also interested in the 30-year-old forward.

“Obviously, over the summer I know there were some talks between a few clubs in the background, but Bayern were a team I was really interested and excited by,” the England captain said ahead of Wednesday night’s Group A opener at the Allianz Arena.

“There were not too many other discussions once they came in. It was between them and Tottenham to talk and then the deal got done.

“My focus is on here. Manchester United are a great club, a really big club as well. I just decided to come here and am really happy I have.”

Kane on Maguire: ‘England are fully behind him’

Kane could come up against England team-mate Harry Maguire, who was again singled out for criticism during last week’s 3-1 friendly win over Scotland.

The England captain defended Maguire, saying he was one of his country’s best ever defenders.

“I think H has come under some really unnecessary scrutiny,” Kane said. “He has probably been scapegoated a bit in terms [for] the way the team have gone over recent times.

“He is a really good friend of mine. He is a great guy, a really hard-working professional.

“From an England point of view, he has been one of our best defenders in recent times – I would go as far as to say one of our best defenders over the history of our country in an England shirt.

“It is part of our game now, you are scrutinised all over social media. But, knowing him, all he will want to do is work harder, to improve and get better, stay focused.

“We are fully behind him as a national team. The coach (Gareth Southgate) came out and backed him fully.

“There is always going to be noise around players. We have a really strong core within our England team, which is the most important thing going into big games and tournaments.”

Kane: I can play better

Kane has made a good start to life in Germany.

He has scored four Bundesliga goals for Bayern, including in the 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night.

Kane, who is set to make his Champions League debut for Bayern on Wednesday, said: “Being here now, I am just enjoying the new surroundings. I have been back and forth with the internationals and the birth of my fourth child.

“I still don’t feel I have fully settled into everything yet – that will take a bit more time – but over the course of the season I will get to know more about the club and speak to the big names who have played here before.”

Kane added: “It has been a good start for me here. Whenever there is a big transfer, there is always a little bit more pressure and expectation going into the first few games to see how you start.

“I am really pleased to have scored the four goals so far. I think I can play better, and that will come with just getting to know my team-mates more, the system and the way we play. There is definitely room for improvement in my all-round game.”

Kane keeping an eye on Spurs’ results

Despite Kane’s departure, Tottenham have made an impressive start under new head coach Ange Postecoglou this season and are unbeaten in the Premier League with four wins to sit second.

Spurs travel to north London rivals Arsenal on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports (kick-off 2pm), and Kane insists he will keep an eye on his former club’s results for the rest of his life.

“Fantastic start – I am always keeping an eye on them and think I will keep an eye on Tottenham for the rest of my life,” Kane said.

“I am really happy to see the team playing the way they are and, of course, to see their fans happy as well is a great thing.

“I am sure they will be excited to keep that up. They have a massive game coming up (against Arsenal on Sunday), so for sure I will see how they get on over the course of the season.”

Tuchel: Everyone wanted Kane

Meanwhile, in his pre-Man Utd press conference, Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel insists every big club needing a striker would want to sign Harry Kane and that taking the England captain away from the premier League was a “big thing”.

The former Chelsea boss said: “It’s a big thing. We took the skipper of England out of England, out of the Premier League. It’s a huge deal and a big transfer. We’re very happy.

“Anyone in Europe who was looking for No 9 would have been happy to have Harry in the team. He makes your team better and gives you what you expect from a No 9: personality, goals, quality.

“He can drop deep in a No 10 position, turn and use the speed of the players around him. He can arrive in the box at the right time, he has excellent finishing, he’s a good penalty taker, so everybody wanted to have him.

“I’m not sure about what was going on at other clubs but we are more than happy he took the decision to join us and make us better.

“He will always be a difference maker in any game, not only in the big games and not only by goals. He gives us a lot of personality. With time he will make our players around him better. He will learn how to make them shine, use their skills. He will assist and not only score. He will be the difference and he is already the difference.

“Not only him but he is part of us making the difference. That is very important and that’s why we relied heavily on this transfer. That’s why we had a lot of confidence we are doing the right thing. He will prove us right, I am 100 per cent convinced, there is no doubt about it.”

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Bayer Leverkusen struck deep in added time to snatch a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich to stay top of the Bundesliga.

In a thrilling game at Allianz Arena, Harry Kane opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Alex Grimaldo’s stunning free-kick brought the visitors level before half-time.

Chances continued to flow at both ends as the two sides went toe to toe, and the deadlock was eventually broken with four minutes remaining of normal time with Leon Goretzka’s strike putting Bayern on course for a dramatic victory.

However, there was still time for more late drama. Leverkusen were handed a late penalty after a VAR check following Alphonso Davies’ challenge on Jonas Hofmann. Substitute Exequiel Palacios made no mistake from the spot to rescue a point for Xabi Alonso’s side.

In pictures: The late drama…

How the drama unfolded in Munich…

Bayern made the perfect start when Kane headed them in front in the seventh minute. The England captain drifted into space at the far post and former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka could only watch a sight he has seen many times before as Kane made no mistake from close range.

The hosts threatened to run riot, but Leverkusen found a way back into the game when Grimaldo’s stunning free-kick beat Sven Ulreich to find the top corner.

The it was Leverkusen’s turn to dominate the game. Alonso’s side created some fantastic chances, with Victor Boniface causing the Bayern defence all sorts of problems, but the Leverkusen forward, who also had a goal ruled out for offside, was denied by Ulreich at his near post.

However, in a topsy-turvy game, Bayern roared back just before the break with Lukas Hradecky forced into action three times in three minutes to deny Leroy Sane, Goretzka and Serge Gnabry with a superb triple save.

Hradecky was needed after the break as he stuck out a boot to deny Kane with the England captain through on goal.

There were chances to grab a second at both ends of the pitch but the breakthrough finally came in the 86th minute when Goretzka swept home Mathys Tel’s cross.

The goal sparked wild Bayern celebrations but they were cut short when the visitors were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time.

Referee Daniel Schlager did not initially point to the spot following Davies’ challenge on Hofmann. But after a VAR check the referee was sent to the screen and Schlager reversed his decision to award the spot kick. Palacios made no mistake to spark the Leverkusen celebrations.

There was still time for another Bayern attack and Dayot Upamecano wheeled away in celebration after finding the back of the net, but the offside flag meant a deserved share of the spoils.

Both sides lose their perfect starts to the Bundesliga season and it is Leverkusen who stay top, ahead of Bayern in second on goal difference.

What’s next?

Up next for Bayern Munich is a Champions League game against Premier League side Manchester United at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday; kick-off 8pm. They are next in Bundesliga action on Saturday September 23 at home to VfL Bochum; kick-off 2.30pm.

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen are in Europa League action next when they take on Hacken on Thursday; kick-off 5.45pm. Their next Bundesliga fixture is against Heidenheim on Sunday September 24, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 2.30pm.

Stream the Bundesliga and more on Sky Sports with NOW for £26 a month for 12 months

Harry Kane says he feels a “different pressure” to win every game at Bayern Munich compared to at Tottenham where not winning for a couple of matches “wasn’t a disaster”.

The England captain left boyhood club Spurs to move to Germany last month, aiming to help Bayern win a 12th successive Bundesliga title and the first major honour of his career.

Bayern have won their first three league games with Kane scoring three times and providing one assist – and he feels there is a bigger expectation at his new club.

“It’s a different pressure to what I felt at Spurs. Of course, we wanted to win things but if you went a couple of games without winning, it wasn’t a disaster. The feeling at Bayern is that you have to win every game,” he said ahead of England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine on Saturday in Wroclaw.

“That’s part and parcel of being at one of the biggest clubs in the world. I’m enjoying feeling those different emotions and that’s part of the reason that I wanted to go.

“When we get back, we start the Champions League campaign, which they expect to win. So you’re going into those games with maybe a different feeling to what I’ve had in the past.”

But will the pressure make him an even better player?

“I believe it will. There is definitely a lot of pressure to take. Time will tell, but at the moment I am enjoying that feeling,” he said.

With this season’s Champions League final at Wembley and the Euro 2024 finals taking place in Germany – Kane could yet lift silverware at homes old and new, having already watched a number of his England team-mates win the game’s top prizes, which he admits has been difficult to see.

“I have been told about the Champions League final in Wembley. I know the Euros are in Germany next summer so if there’s someone out there writing a movie, I will try and do my best to make it happen!” he said.

“It’s hard. There’s so much time to go I don’t want to think about it too much, but if it did happen it would be incredible.

“As a competitor, when the boys are playing the Champions League and I am just sitting at home watching it, I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that hurt.

“Of course, I want them to do well but a part of me wants to have those experiences. I am not sure jealous is the right word but with other players in the team having done that, it does motivate me to go on and try to push myself towards some of those trophies the guys have got.”

England boss Gareth Southgate suggested last week that Kane winning trophies would be a good thing for the national team, something the striker agreed with.

“I think so,” he added. “Of course, there is no hiding the fact it is the one thing missing from my career at the moment and when you have got players in the squad who have won things, you want to be part of that as well and have
those experiences as well.

“Just the experiences of having title runs and cup runs and hopefully a Champions League run will only add, hopefully, to handling pressure in certain situations. If we are going to win anything with England we are going to have to deal with that. Me, being captain, I want to put myself in that position as much as possible.

“Whether I win or not, the decision (to join Bayern) came down to putting me in those situations. With Bayern Munich sometimes we expect them to win because they have won it for the last 11 years.

“In my short period there is still a lot of pressure to win these trophies. We have not won the cup for a few years and we have not won the Champions League for a few years so there is definitely a lot to gain and a lot of pressure to take.

“Time will tell, but at the moment I am enjoying that feeling and for the rest of the year it is a good competition to have.”