Manchester United 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Ralf Rangnick's side was not short on the endeavour. Still, it lacked the guile to break down Atletico's trademark resilience as Renan Lodi's far-post header four minutes before half-time sent the Spanish champions into the last eight.
United dominated possession for large portions of the second half, but, as they have done so often, Atletico built a wall of defensive resistance - and when they did threaten, goalkeeper Jan Oblak provided the final barrier.
He saved brilliantly from Raphael Varane's header in front of the Stretford End as United were left to fight for a place in next season's Champions League in the final weeks of the domestic season.
Manchester United went the same way as so many teams before them who have suffered from this remarkably durable Atletico machine assembled by Diego Simeone.
United showed plenty of effort and had Old Trafford rocking with a high-intensity start. Still, they ran out of ideas and inspiration the longer the game went on - Atletico digging in and defending with the sort of relish they have shown many times over the years.
Cristiano Ronaldo produced a couple of classic early touches, but he was a peripheral figure long before the end, with Rangnick and United's desperation, illustrated when struggling captain Harry Maguire was replaced by veteran Juan Mata.
United was also infuriated by the erratic refereeing of Slovenian official Slavko Vinci, mainly when they felt Anthony Elanga had been fouled moments before Lodi arrived unmarked to head home Antoine Griezmann's cross at the far post.
Over the two legs, however, United have simply not been good enough to progress and now face an uphill task to reach the Premier League's top four, as they lie fifth behind Arsenal having played three games more.
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