Champions League TOTS named as Man Utd left red-faced and just one Prem star gets in

UEFA have left Manchester United wincing after naming Marcel Sabitzer in their Champions League Team of the Year. In a disappointing season for the Premier League clubs, Phil Foden is the English top-flight’s only representative in the 11.

Foden’s City reached the quarter-final of the Champions League before they were knocked out by eventual winners Real Madrid. Los Blancos’ Jude Bellingham, who won the tournament for the first time, has made the cut.

Man Utd finished bottom of their group in a hugely underwhelming European campaign. And the inclusion of former loanee Sabitzer is likely to leave many at Old Trafford feeling a bit sheepish.

Sabitzer performed well on loan from Bayern Munich in the second half of the 2023-24 campaign. However, despite his promising displays, his temporary stay at United was not made permanent as the Red Devils opted to spend £60million on Mason Mount.

The Austrian attacking midfielder joined Dortmund and played a key role in their run to the Champions League final, making six goal contributions in 12 European matches. There is no place, though, for Jadon Sancho who joined the Bundesliga side on loan from United after falling out with Erik ten Hag.

Despite the lack of Premier League players included in the squad, Foden is one of a trio of England players. That will be hugely positive for Gareth Southgate as the Three Lions head into Euro 2024 as one of the favourites.

Bellingham has also been picked by UEFA’s Technical Observer panel, with Harry Kane one of three forwards. Naturally, Real and Dortmund are the joint-most represented clubs with four players apiece.

Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has been picked over Real’s trio of Andriy Lunin, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Thibaut Courtois, who all appeared in the competition.

Dani Carvajal, who put the Spanish side ahead in the final, is in the defence alongside team-mate Antonio Rudiger and losing finalists Mats Hummels and Ian Maatsen, who joined Dortmund on loan from Chelsea in January after struggling for game time at Stamford Bridge.

Sabitzer and Bellingham make up the midfield alongside Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha. Kane leads the line in the team, flanked by Foden and Real’s Vinicius Junior.

There is no room for any players from Arsenal, Man Utd or Newcastle, the other English clubs who played in the Champions League this season. Arsenal were dumped out by Bayern Munich in the quarter-final, while United and Newcastle failed to advance from their groups.