Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen aimed a brutal dig at Manchester United before the Champions League league phase draw.
The draw, which was held Thursday night in Monaco, featured 36 clubs, including Leverkusen.
Man United, on the other hand, will not be participating in any European competition this season after losing the Europa League final in the 2024–2025 season and finishing 15th in the Premier League.
In the eight-match 36-team league phase, the Bundesliga team was drawn against Paris Saint-Germain (h), Man City (a), Villarreal (h), Benfica (a), PSV (h), Olympiakos (a), Newcastle (h), and Copenhagen (a). However, what really got people talking was what Leverkusen’s social media account shared prior to the draw.
The team shared a picture of their draw slip with the words “Bayer Leverkusen” printed on it, along with the statement, “Just hoping we don’t get Grimsby…”
Naturally, this occurs less than twenty-four hours after United, the former team of Leverkusen head coach Erik ten Hag, lost to League Two Grimsby Town in a penalty shootout to exit the Carabao Cup in the second round.
Additionally, supporters quickly responded to the jab on social media.
One said: “You’ll be crying soon with ETH as your manager.”
Another added: “It’s absolutely mad how the only way another club can get any attention whatsoever is by mentioning Manchester United’s name.”
A third commented: “Think Grimsby more likely to play Leverkusen than Man Utd in European fixture in the near future.”
While a fourth joked: “Every goal conceded, every red card, every misplaced pass, every loss, I will be there.”
Although he will be in charge for the Premier League match against Burnley at Old Trafford this weekend, pressure on current head coach Ruben Amorim has subsequently increased.
Ten Hag has only managed one Bundesliga game since coming to Germany, and on August 23, he watched his team lose 2-1 to Hoffenheim on the first day of play.
On August 30, the 2023–24 German champions will play Werder again.
Ten Hag previously guided Ajax to the semi-finals of the 2018–19 Champions League, giving him a comparatively acceptable record.
The Dutch head coach has managed 38 Champions League games, winning 18, drawing 8, and losing 12.
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