Naldo scored twice to lead Wolfsburg to a 3-2 victory that secures them top spot in Group B and eliminates Manchester United from this season's Champions League.
United threw away an early lead and ultimately slipped from second to third in Germany, with PSV moving into the top two by battling back from a goal behind to claim maximum points against CSKA Moscow.
Having endured another frustrating goalless draw against West Ham at the weekend, Anthony Martial gave United the ideal start when he slotted home 10 minutes in.
But Naldo's volley levelled matters three minutes later and Vieirinha's first Champions League goal put Wolfsburg ahead at the break.
Missing captain Wayne Rooney, Louis van Gaal's men created chances but, as has so often been the case this season, failed to convert.
Sergei Ignashevich's penalty for CSKA briefly looked to have sent United through regardless of the result at the Volkswagen Arena but Luuk de Jong and Davy Propper scored to earn all three points for PSV.
And though Marouane Fellaini's header resulted in Josuha Guilavogui turning the ball into his own net, Naldo again provided a quick response to ensure there was no late twist.
Van Gaal - having returned United to the Champions League after a season's absence - will await Europa League football in 2016 as Wolfsburg celebrated their first group-stage progression as winners.
Andre Schurrle was a surprise inclusion in Hecking's XI and he should have tested David de Gea two minutes in only to skew an effort over the crossbar when one-on-one.
With Rooney absent, Van Gaal handed Guillermo Varela a first United start at right-back and brought Memphis Depay into his starting line-up.
Marouane Fellaini was moved deeper into midfield to accommodate Depay and the Belgian found himself in the way of an early Juan Mata effort set for the target.
The Spaniard proved crucial in United's opener, however, playing in Martial who slotted the ball past Diego Benaglio.
Martial's first goal since October's draw with CSKA Moscow was soon cancelled out by Naldo's well-taken volley, the centre-back angling Ricardo Rodriguez's free-kick past De Gea.
Rodriguez was forced off injured soon after, replaced by Marcel Schafer, with Benaglio saving at close range from Fellaini before Wolfsburg took the lead with a delightful move.
Draxler cut in from the right and played a neat one-two with Max Kruse before setting up a tap-in for Vieirinha.
United's Matteo Darmian was also forced off injured - youngster Cameron Borthwick-Jackson coming on as his replacement - and the visitors' frustration increased when Jesse Lingard saw an effort chalked off for offside, with the assistant referee deeming Mata was interfering with play by loitering in front of Benaglio.
United piled on the pressure but almost fell further behind to an audacious Schurrle lob amid questionable decision-making from De Gea, with Kruse wasting an opportunity to put the game to bed when he sidefooted wide from a corner.
Drama in Eindhoven briefly threatened to alter the complexion of the group, as did Guilavogui's own goal.
But Naldo's second and Propper's winner in the Netherlands quickly dashed any United hopes, with Wolfsburg deservedly claiming the points and top spot to leave Van Gaal with plenty to ponder.
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