Manchester United were beaten again in the Champions League on Tuesday night with Erik ten Hag’s side bottom of Group A.
Manchester United suffered a second consecutive Champions League defeat on Tuesday night as they were beaten 3-2 at home to Galatasaray.
Erik ten Hag’s side twice took the lead at Old Trafford, with Rasmus Hojlund on target either side of half-time with two brilliant goals. But calamitous defending saw Wilfried Zaha and then Kerem Aktürkoğlu equalise.
United went down to 10 men after Casemiro gave away a penalty following a terrible pass from Andre Onana, however, Mauro Icardi dragged his effort wide. The Galatasaray striker composed himself to score the winner shortly after, dinking a lovely effort past the Reds goalkeeper.
Strange pre-game rituals
The Galatasaray fans had been making themselves heard all day in Manchester city centre and brought their famous atmosphere to the away corner at Old Trafford. Having packed out their section early doors, they chanted and jumped around relentlessly during the warm-ups.
And Okan Buruk’s players were minded to do all they could to keep the noise high, with one member at a time jogging towards the away end and performing a gesture that looked like they were whipping a horse. What it did do was whip up the crowd who loved it, and would chant even louder as a result.
Fernandes frustrated
United started the game well and were knocking the ball around relatively comfortably, but a loose pass from Onana allowed the away side to turn the ball over and push forward. Bruno Fernandes has never been one to hide his emotions and made no attempt to suppress his frustration at the poor pass.
The United captain was dreadful on the night but of the few people he could justifiably be disappointed with, Onana was one. The Cameroon international’s poor pass was a sign of things to come and he was at fault for the penalty which saw Casemiro sent off, playing a pass straight to Dries Mertens.
Onana was shaky throughout, flapping at a cross that skidded off the turf and going down far too early and allowing Icardi’s fairly weak dink to float over his head and into the net.
Enthusiastic analysts
Galatasaray’s fans weren’t the only ones bringing the heat at Old Trafford and even their analytical team up near the gantry were getting dragged into the drama. One had a tripod set up on their desk to film a tactical angle of the game, and all were enjoying the occasion as if they were supporters with laptops.
When Zaha got their first equaliser, bullying Diogo Dalot before a scuffed effort looped over Onana, the small group of analysts in the press box made no effort to hide their emotion. And when Icardi netted the winner, it was absolute bedlam.
Antony geeing up Rashford
Marcus Rashford showed exactly how devastating he can be for the opening goal, timing his run perfectly and firing a pinpoint cross onto Hojlund’s head. It was a great start on an individual level but unfortunately it did not develop into a great game.
The 25-year-old’s crisis of confidence was summed up when he again beat the high line and raced through on goal in the second half. Last season, it would have guaranteed a goal but Rashford hesitated before failing to square a simple pass for Fernandes who would have had an open net.
It was a real struggle from then on and when a loose Christian Eriksen pass went over his head it was the final straw. Rashford’s head was down and it was up to Antony – warming up at the time – to try and gee up his teammate for a final push. He was substituted within a few minutes.
Laid back Buruk
Galatasaray had their chance to secure a pivotal win when they were awarded a penalty with 12 minutes to go. Onana’s loose pass fell straight to Mertens, with Casemiro’s reckless lunge seeing him sent off and a spot-kick awarded.
Icardi had the ball on the spot and the whole of Old Trafford held its breath, apart from Galatasaray manager Buruk who was chatting and laughing with the fourth official about something as the referee blew his whistle. The Turkish manager was very laid back all evening and even looked to be enjoying the drama.
MANCHESTER UTD
