Galatasaray 3-3 Manchester United: Erik Ten Hag’s men in risk of being eliminated from UEFA Champions League after faltering in away clash against Galatasaray

Manchester United is on the verge of another painful exit from UEFA Champions League group stage exit, as they slumped to a thrilling 3-3 stalemate against Turkish giants Galatasaray, after blowing two-goal leads on two occasions. Youngster Alejandro Garnacho, the star of United’s last fixture against Everton where he scored a world-class bicycle kick, started the proceedings for the Red Devils, but they bowed down to Hakim Ziyech’s brilliance and exuberant display.

Manchester United on the brink of exit

Manchester United have been a world class team since ages. But, this season, the Red Devils are seeming to suffer from lack of discipline and consistency. After a comprehensive 3-0 away victory at Goodison Park owing to some out-of-the-world display from Argentine youngster Alejandro Garnacho, many United fans would have thought of a possible redemption away at Galatasaray, a team against whom they had lost at Old Trafford. A win against Galatasaray would have made things different for Erik Ten Hag’s men, but they might have lost the plot of UEFA Champions League, once again exhibiting a sub-par performance.

The Turkish club had made their intentions clear of welcoming United to their hostile atmosphere, with a tifo being displayed by the words “Welcome to Hell”, as these words could have echoed the hearts of every United player who took the field. Maybe because of this hostility, United custodian Onana showcased a faltering display as his howlers gifted a much needed draw for Galatasaray, as United are on the verge of facing grim reality of exiting UEFA Champions League from the Group Stage.

A similar performance from Denmark

United are going through a rough patch in the European top flight, as last night was the second time they have squandered an well-placed opportunity in two consecutive games, as in their last fixture against FC Copenhagen, they were leading the game 3-2. But, some late defensive blunders and lack of match-winning tactics costed them, as United ended up losing the game 4-3, with youngster Roony Bardghji rubbing salt to their wounds by scoring in the last minute. This time, the mistakes are directly pointed to goalkeeper Onana, who understandably looked disconsolate after full-time, leaving United’s Round of 16 qualification hopes in jeopardy.

Ten Hag’s brigade was looking good despite the hostility on the air, with early goals from Garnacho and Fernandes adding to their individual brilliance, but within half-an-hour, Ziyech showed his outstanding exuberance in pegging one goal back for the hosts, tremendously wrong-footing Onana with his free-kick.

McTominay’s third did not make the difference

United’s clutch Scottish performer Scott McTominay did add a third goal after half-time, which took United to an apparently comfortable position, but none would have thought that United would falter these leads again to go back Manchester with a solitary point. Just after an-hour mark, Ziyech added his second goal of the night, with Onana at gunpoint once again, as he desperately made an attempt to thwart away another free-kick from the former Ajax and Chelsea maestro.

After the score at 2-3 was poised for a well-deserved comeback for the Turkish giants, Ziyech’s free-kick added an impetus to an equalizer from Akturkoglu. The substitute made a difference to the score-line, as his blasting shot left Onana on the ropes, thus holding him responsible for the defensive frailties which got exposed last night. Speaking about last-ditch attempts, former United product Zaha missed a glorious opportunity to overtake United’s tally, as Red Devils skipper Fernandes struck the bar, slowly entangling United into the ifs and buts of UCL qualification, taking their hopes out of their own hands.

With a draw last night and Munich settling for an unfortunate draw against Copenhagen, it all comes to last day where United has to defeat Munich, as their chances already look slim if there is a winner in Galatasaray and Copenhagen match.