Manchester United have failed to progress to the knockout stages of the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League.

Louis van Gaal's Red Devils were gallant in defeat against Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena but ultimately came up short to go down 3-2, and finish third on the Group B table.

Anthony Martial gave United the lead in the 10th minute with a quality finish beneath Diego Benaglio from Juan Mata's well-weighted ball but the visitors were quickly pegged back when Ricardo Rodriguez floated a long free-kick into the area, allowing Naldo to volley home at David De Gea's near post.

Dieter Hecking's Die Wolfe then edged in front just before the half-hour mark with a stunning team goal, which involved neat passing from Andre Schurrle, Julian Draxler and Max Kruse, finishing with Vieirinha slotting home with ease.

Just before half-time there was a controversial moment when Jesse Lingard whipped a ball into the area, which beat Benaglio and nestled itself into the bottom corner. However, Mata was soon flagged for offside when getting in the eye-line of Benaglio, after deliberation between the linesman and referee, denying United an equaliser just before the whistle.

The second half was also filled with drama as United managed to find a leveller in the 82nd minute when Marouane Fellaini's header was looped into the back of his own net by Josuha Guilavogui. That had the English side through to the next phase as PSV and CSKA Moscow were at the time level at 1-1 in Eindhoven.

However, it all happened in the blink of an eye as Wolfsburg immediately responded through Naldo, who headed home after finding space in the area, before PSV put the nail in the coffin of United by scoring with five minutes remaining to send van Gaal's men to the Europa League.

2015/16 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - GROUP B

Wolfsburg (GER): 3 (Naldo 14'/84', Vieirinha 29')
Manchester United (ENG): 2 (Anthony Martial 10', Josuha Guilavogui (OG) 82')
Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany - 26,400