Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League to Atletico Madrid

Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League at Old Trafford last night and face a UEFA probe after Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone was pelted with missiles as he dashed down the tunnel at full-time.

United were furious with referee Slavco Vincic for not clamping down on Atletico’s time-wasting tactics as they went out 2-1 on aggregate.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick described the four minutes of injury-time added on by the Slovenian official as ‘a joke’, and was also unhappy that he did not award a foul for Reinildo’s challenge on Anthony Elanga before Renan Lodi headed the decisive goal.

The Red Devils face a UEFA probe after Atletico boss Diego Simeone was pelted by bottles

‘It was hard in the second half and always interrupted,’ said Rangnick. ‘There was always somebody lying on the floor.

‘I would also say some curious refereeing decisions. I wouldn’t say they were decisive, but at least he fell too often for those time-wasting antics and four minutes at the end added on was a joke for me.

‘That was a foul for sure on Anthony Elanga but the referee and the linesman didn’t see it that way.

United boss Ralf Rangnick questioned why Anthony Elanga did not get a foul in the build-up to the goal

Rangnick was also incensed by the amount of time-wasting the referee allowed from Atletico

‘We know they are good at defending leads. We were fully aware that against this team you need to score the first goal yourself.’

Defeat cost United their last chance of winning a trophy for the first time in five years, and means they must finish in the top four of the Premier League to reach the Champions League next season.

Goalkeeper David De Gea admitted that such a long barren run isn’t good enough for a club of United’s stature after going out to his old team.

Goalkeeper David De Gea admitted that such a long barren run isn’t good enough for United

‘It’s difficult to put into words how we feel now at the moment,’ said De Gea. ‘We did not do enough in both games to win it. It’s a very disappointing day for us.

‘We are out of one of the most important competitions so we are very sad.

‘Of course it’s not good enough. It’s hard for the club, for us and the fans. It’s really hard. 

‘This is where we are at the moment. It’s a difficult situation. We have to keep fighting. I feel very sad. But we were not good enough.’