Awkward UCL stat emerges after Man Utd and Newcastle finish bottom of group

Newcastle and Manchester United's difficult Champions League campaign created an embarrassing scenario for the Premier League.

The two teams finished bottom of their respective groups and will play no further part in European competition as a result. The Magpies were admittedly still heading through with 31 minutes to play against AC Milan, though goals from Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze ultimately sunk their hopes of progressing.

United, meanwhile, limped out after a dismal defeat against Bayern Munich left them with just four points from their six games. The Red Devils won just one game, with the pressure now ramping up on Ten Hag.

The double elimination is also a first for the English top-flight, with this being the first time two of their teams have finished bottom of their Champions League groups. Blackburn Rover (1995/1996), United (2005/2006) and Manchester City (2012/2013) have all done it on their own.

United were sunk by a second-half strike from Kingsely Coman, coupled with Copenhagen's win over Galatasaray. But despite their wretched campaign in Europe, boss Ten Hag defended their performances.

“Football is always when you don't get the points, it's that you are not qualifying. You have to take that, as a coach and a manager, and you have to look at the performances. We had some good performances in the Champions League," he said.

"But, at the end of the day, we don't have the points to qualify. We have to accept it and learn from it. We’ve played some good football in the Champions League; for example Rasmus Hojlund scored five times and that’s a very good performance.

“We know we want to be more consistent and me as a manager, I have to improve the team, the team’s progress, and I have to guide them, and the players have to take responsibilities. We want to be back again in the Champions League.”

Newcastle meanwhile were left ruing a controversial penalty decision in their draw at PSG. Had that spot-kick not been awarded for a contentious handball, the Magpies would have at least been in the knockout stages of the Europa League, though boss Eddie Howe refused to pin the blame on that game.

"I think it would be foolish for me to look back on that moment and start bringing up old stuff. We had the opportunity tonight to do what we needed to do but we didn’t take it. It’s not through a lack of effort," he told TNT Sports.

"We have a very stretched squad and those players are going again and again. I couldn’t be prouder of what they have given me physically and mentally. I don’t think we can have any regrets.

"I think always you have to use disappointments and setbacks as motivation and a learning tool. It’s fuel for your fire to make sure we continue to achieve and we will go back to the Premier League now and try and do as well as we can and try and step up there."