In what was a major Champions League classic on Tuesday night, Manchester United find their knockout stage dreams hanging by a thread as they suffered a collapse in Istanbul.
While Erik ten Hag’s side might have got off to a dream start in Turkey as Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes produced a pair of stunning first half strikes, the Premier League giants showed more glaring defensive issues.
With Andre Onana unable to keep out Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick on the half-hour mark, the former Inter Milan shot-stopper quickly found himself at the heart of another European nightmare.
Although Scott McTominay might have reclaimed United a two-goal lead just 10 minutes after returning from the interval, Onana produced another Champions League blunder as the Cameroon international somehow palmed Ziyech’s second free-kick into his own net.
Failing to mentally recover in a contest that quickly became more like a basketball match, it was Muhammed Akturkoglu who eventually broke United’s heart as the Turkey international produced a wonderful solo strike.
Knowing that they now face a major uphill battle in their bid to punch a knockout stage ticket, nothing less than three points will be enough when German giants Bayern Munich arrive at Old Trafford on December 12th.
In an action-packed affair from Turkey on Tuesday evening, we have taken a look at the key talking points as United are now left searching for a Champions League miracle.
United’s Champions League dreams are hanging by a thread
Hit with what appears to be a costly 3-2 loss when they welcomed Galatasaray to Old Trafford on October 3rd, it was no secret that Manchester United had a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders here.
Despite taking a two-goal lead on either side of the half-time break, ten Hag has seen his squad gain a reputation for their mental fragilities on the Champions League stage.
Facing what is a real battle in their bid to claim another Premier League top-four…
Source link : https://www.soccernews.com/galatasaray-3-3-manchester-united-what-were-the-key-talking-points-as-erik-ten-hags-side-suffer-another-champions-league-collapse-in-istanbul/363171/
Author : Tom Dunstan
Publish date : 2023-11-30 06:00:54
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.