Neither Manchester football powerhouse – United and City – which are considered the main favorites of the Europa League, could even make it into the tournament’s quarterfinals.
Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Manchester United (5-3 on aggregate)
United arrived in Spain’s Basque country after a surprising loss 3-2 in Manchester a week ago.
And all their hopes of getting back into the tie were shattered by Athletic’s top scorer, Fernando Llorente, who converted Fernando Amorebieta’s long-range pass into a goal on the 23rd minute, 1-0.
The visitors now needed to score at least three in order to progress, but it’s no easy task cracking the Bilbao side when they’re playing in front of their home fans.
On the 65th minute, Athletic doubled their lead thanks to Oscar de Marcos, who was first on the rebound after Gaizka Toquero’s header was blocked.
Wayne Rooney scored a beauty on the 80th minute, curling the ball inside the far post from the edge of the box, but it wasn’t enough to save the day for Man United, 2-1.
“There are always lessons to learn from every football match, whether you win or lose,” Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager, told Channel 5. “It’s disappointing more than anything. We haven’t progressed in the Champions League and now we’re out of the Europa League. I think the best team went through. I don’t think we can complain.”
Manchester City 3-2 Sporting Lisbon (3-3 on aggregate)
United’s neighbors from City seemed to have an easier task ahead of them in their Round 16 clash against Sporting, as they enjoyed a home pitch advantage in the second leg after a 1-0 loss in Portugal.
But the visitors felt quite comfortable on the turf of the City of Manchester Stadium, grabbing the important away goal at the 33rd minute.
Matias Fernandez left few chances to England’s keeper, Joe Hart, with a great effort from the free kick, 0-1.
And it was Marat Izmailov who set up Sporting’s second goal, five minutes before the break.
The Russian escaped Aleksandar Kolarov on the flank and found Ricky van Wolfswinkel at the far post, who made no mistake, 0-2.
But in the second the City nearly did the impossible as inform striker Sergio Aguero scored a brace and earned a penalty, which Mario Balotelli converted.
The Manchester side found themselves 3-2 upon the 82nd minute, and lacking the one goal needed to make it to the quarterfinals.
City did everything to equalize in the remaining time – Balotelli, Aguero and substitute Edin Dzeko missed good chances, and even keeper Hart had a chance on the Portuguese net.
But Sporting managed to hold off and, despite a 3-2 defeat, progress to the next round due to an away goal rule.