Europa League: Manchester United and Manchester City Both Lose in First Leg

What is happening to English clubs this season in European Competitions?

First, we faced the disaster of having three clubs (soon to be four in all likelihood) bowing out of the UEFA Champions League. 

Today, both the clubs from Manchester have lost in the first leg, and rather unceremoniously. 

Manchester City lost to Sporting Lisbon while Manchester United lost to Athletic Bilbao. 

For City, the night was a highly frustrating one, as they were tested time and again by a well-organized Lisbon side. They also could not manage to score an important away goal. 

They still remain favorites to advance, but given the recent run of games of English clubs at the European stage, I doubt that they will be overturn the deficit, especially if Lisbon manage to score at the Etihad. 

At Old Trafford, things looked to progress better when Wayne Rooney fired home a goal and gave United the lead. 

However, United were stunned later on as Bilbao made an amazing comeback to overcome the deficit and win by three goals to two. 

This means United face an uphill task of going to Spain and overcoming not only a one goal deficit, but three away goals. They will need to win by two clear goals. 

What is your opinion on the recent plight of English football? Will they recover next year and pose a serious challenge?

Leave your opinions.