Man Utd's Heaviest Champions League Defeats of All Time
Manchester United have been one of the Champions League's key protagonists since the competition's rebranding in 1992. Despite their fall from grace following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, the Red Devils remain among Europe's leading clubs and, naturally, have an overwhelmingly impressive record in the continent's premier tournament.
However, there have been a fair few off-days, too. Even a club with the stature and reputation of United is occasionally humiliated on the European stage-as was the case during their recent trip to Como.
With that in mind, here are United's six biggest Champions League defeats. 29, 2002) Man Utd were left stunned by an unfamiliar foe during the 2002-03 season.
Firstly, the Red Devils had already qualified for the next round of the competition following four straight victories. Secondly, Ferguson fielded an inexperienced and weakened side as a result.
However, having beaten the Israeli side 5-2 at Old Trafford, there were few signs that United would capitulate in such dramatic fashion during the reverse fixture. Raimondas Žutautas proved the thorn in United's side as he grabbed an assist and goal either side of the halftime whistle, with his 35-yard strike doubling the home side's advantage.
Eventually, a young Yakubu rounded off the scoring with a penalty in the closing stages. An undoubtedly surprising result, but one without any consequence.
8, 2004) Man Utd were undone by an individual masterclass. Yet again, Ferguson named a makeshift side, which proved unable to cope with one man in particular: Tuncay Şanlı.
The Fenerbahçe forward, who would late venture to England to play for Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers, scored a second-half hat trick to secure one of the Turkish side's most memorable European triumphs. Two clinical efforts bookended a header as the Türkiye international single-handedly downed United, who were making an unwanted habit of being humiliated during admittedly meaningless European away days.
AC Milan 3-0 Man Utd (May 2, 2007) The eventual champions proved too good at San Siro. AC Milan were the final hurdle they had to overcome to reach the showpiece event.