Onana’s Man. U near UCL exit after surrendering 2-goal lead in draw against Galatasaray
Manchester United’s Champions League dream is on thin ice after an ‘absolutely bonkers’ 3-3 battle with Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray.
The teams have a long and fiery history, with the travelling Manchester fans greeted by a giant banner reading “Welcome to Hell” in the stadium in Istanbul.
But United looked set to claim their first-ever win against Galatasaray away from home when they led 2-0 and then 3-1, but a few errors from Andre Onana saw them slip to a draw that keeps them in bottom place ahead of the final group-stage games.
Erik ten Hag’s men got off to the perfect start on a rain-swept pitch thanks to a thunderous opener from Alejandro Garnacho, who followed up his wonder-strike at Everton with an excellent finish on 11 minutes.
Bruno Fernandes had provided the assist for the visitors’ first of the evening and it was the United captain who doubled their advantage just seven minutes later with a stunning 25-yard effort that flew into the top corner.
Galatasaray were dangerous throughout a hugely entertaining first 45 and they deservedly reduced the arrears when on-loan Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech somehow fired a low free-kick through a split wall and an unsighted Andre Onana.
The end-to-end nature of the match continued from the restart with Scott McTominay grabbing United’s third with a near-post finish on 55 minutes.
However, a howler from Onana allowed another Ziyech free-kick to squirm in past the hour mark before the United stopper was beaten at his near post by a thumping effort from substitute Kerem Akturkoglu.
Both sides had chances to win it in an enthralling finale but a modern-day classic perhaps deservedly ended all square.
The result leaves United bottom of the group with four points from five games played. Galatasaray are currently second on five points, same with FC Copenhagen on five points after Bayern draw later in the evening.
United will now host Bayern Munich on Matchday 6 on December 6 hoping for a minor miracle. They must beat Bayern and hope Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen draw their fixture to progress.
