Didier Deschamps blames poor Marseille finishing for defeat to Manchester United in Champions League

Ligue 1 : Didier Deschamps (Olympique de Marseille)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps was left to rue his side’s profligacy in front of goal after crashing out of the Champions League 2-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Javier Hernandez was the match-winner scoring a brace for the hosts, even though a Wes Brown own goal gave the visitors late hope and set up a nervy finish.

However, the French champions did have their chances in the game with both Andre-Pierre Gignac and Souleymane Diawara guilty of missing good openings in the first half.
 
Asked after the game whether Marseille would have qualified if they had taken their chances, Deschamps told Sky Sports: “I am sure.

“Of course it was not a big Manchester United performance tonight. We started not very well, in the first half of the game.

“I have got young players and it was difficult at Old Trafford but after that my players did well and we had opportunities, good occasions, but we didn’t score and then to be 2-0 down it was more complicated for us.”

The hosts had problems in defence before and during the match with both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic missing the game entirely through injury before John O’Shea and Rafael were forced off during the game.”

Deschamps admitted that whilst the injuries had given Marseille hope they simply couldn’t do enough to oust a weakened United side.

“I think the players, and me as well, felt it was possible because Manchester United were not really fit physically,” he added.

“Of course a lot of players missed this game through injury, so it was not the best Manchester United team.

“We tried but it was not enough for us today.”