Beerensteyn is the top scorer in the Women's Champions League this season with four goals
At a glance
Fridolina Rolfo's opener cancelled out by double from Ella Peddemors
Lineth Beerensteyn adds Wolfsburg's third before Melvine Malard replies
Beerensteyn scores her second as Vivien Endemann adds late fifth goal
Wolfsburg came from a goal down to overwhelm Manchester United and end the English side's 100% record in the Women's Champions League this season.
In a frantic first half, Fridolina Rolfo's 14th-minute opener - her third goal in as many games in the competition - put United ahead against her former club.
But her fine header was cancelled out just three minutes later as Wolfsburg's Ella Peddemors capitalised on a mix-up between visiting goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel and captain Maya le Tissier.
An unintentional goal from Peddemors put the hosts in front in the 37th minute, with her delivery into the box evading everyone before squeezing past Middleton-Patel at the far post.
Lineth Beerensteyn rifled home a third for the hosts in the 45th minute, but Melvine Malard gave United hope by replying in first-half stoppage time.
However, Marc Skinner's side struggled to match the She-Wolves' intensity and Beerensteyn claimed her second, and her side's fourth in the 65th minute.
The Dutch forward shrugged off Julia Zigiotti Olme before sweeping a strike through the legs of Le Tissier and past Middleton-Patel.
United's defensive failings were again highlighted in added time when Jayde Riviere played a sloppy back-pass and Vivien Endemann latched on to it and rounded the keeper to slot home Wolfsburg's fifth goal.
It was a chastening night for United, who had won their opening three games in their debut Champions League campaign, impressing against Valerenga, Atletico Madrid and particularly Paris St-Germain at Old Trafford last week.
But they dropped down to the fourth and final automatic qualification spot for the quarter-finals with this loss.
Two-time winners Wolfsburg replaced United in third spot, although Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich could leapfrog them when they play their games in hand.
Manchester United analysis: Challenging on all fronts takes toll
United were rewarded for their high-pressing, aggressive start in Germany as Rolfo headed home Malard's delightful delivery after the France forward skilfully skipped past Sarai Linder on the left flank.
But the hosts responded in style, piling pressure on the United backline and forcing Le Tissier into a rushed pass to Middleton-Patel, whose poor clearance landed straight at the feet of Dutch forward Peddemors to finish well.
United's energy levels appeared to drop after that, and they were slow to push out of their own box as Peddemors' second trickled in.
Skinner's side looked vulnerable at set-pieces and sluggish in possession, and they were punished again when Zigiotti Olme's loose pass fell to Beerensteyn, who smashed home a confident strike.
Malard's hooked finish a couple of minutes later set up an intriguing second period, but Wolfsburg proved the stronger.
Beerensteyn's second put the game out of reach for Skinner's side, but full-back Riviere's mistake for Wolfsburg's late fifth summed up United's dreadful defensive display.
With four games in the last 11 days, three of them defeats, United look to be struggling to cope with the challenge of domestic and European football, especially with a lack of squad depth.
The Red Devils looked tired and timid during Saturday's 3-0 WSL derby defeat by Manchester City in the Women's Super League, and they failed to match the drive and desire of Wolfsburg, who are well used to European competition.
Back-to-back defeats in the WSL have left them seven points off the pace, while an automatic qualification spot for the Champions League quarter-finals is now at risk after their strong start.
Skinner will welcome the international break to reassess how he manages his squad on multiple fronts, before their final two league phase matches against eight-time European champions Lyon and Juventus in December.
What's next for both teams?
After the international break, Manchester United will be in action against West Ham in the Women's Super League on Sunday, 7 December (12:00 GMT), before welcoming Lyon in the Champions League at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday, 10 December (20:00 GMT).
Wolfsburg travel to Real Madrid on Tuesday, 9 December (20:00 GMT) in their next Champions League tie.
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