| MAGNITUDE | The importance of United being in the game but losing one point (9) |
| MATCHLESS | Don't have much in common in the game, but was superior to all the rest (9) |
| THINONTOP | Slim and winning but losing one's hair (4,2,3) |
| IMAGES | On reflection, is being in the game essential? (6) |
| BOTTOMSUP | Lowest odds about United being toast? |
| SOIDISANT | Reliable but losing heart - is worker, in terms of self-image? (3-6) |
| CHILDLESS | Wrong about daughter in game, but having no issue |
| PIROUETTE | Very good Las Vegas game, but learner's missed out in spin |
| NAILBITER | Brilliant playing - with energy - but losing line in tense moment |
| UNLUCKIER | United, note, more daring but losing lead - that's less fortunate |
| RETRIEVER | Golden/yellow or flat-coated, popular canine pet originally bred to collect game but also trained as a therapy/guide dog (9) |
| EXECUTING | Discharging manager, jolly, but losing head (9) |
| DIALECTIC | Logical call - hectic but losing face (9) |
| PIUSLANGA | Cape Town suburb following holy - but losing heart - top lawyer (4,5) |
| BEATING | Disturbing the game but coming out the winner (7) |
| SUBSIDE | You can replace the whole team during the game, but it will cause decline (7) |
| VINESH | Who became the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in both the Commonwealth & the Asian Games but was disqualified from participating in the final of the Paris Olympics, due to overweight? (6) |
| KILLJOY | There's pleasure after the game but he spoils it (7) |
| BRIDGE | I play the game but it makes me cross (6) |
| STUPOR | State of shock from upset in sport, United being held (6) |
