MAN UNITED 2, GALATASARAY 3
Manchester United’s miserable start to the season continued as they were beaten at home by Galatasaray which left them bottom of Group A in the Champions League.
It was a wretched night for the Reds as they twice surrendered the lead – Dane Rasmus Hojlund netted his first Old Trafford goals – and also had Casemiro sent off.
And unless there is a miracle – United will probably have to win three of their four remaining games to stand any chance of making the top two – fans had better start preparing to free Thursday nights in readiness for Europa League football.
This was also United’s third defeat in the last four games at Old Trafford where they have also been beaten by Brentford and Crystal Palace.
And with the team languishing in 10th place in the Premier League, it is a worrying for Erik ten Hag as he looks to arrest the worrying slide in form as this is their worst start to a season since 1986/87 when Ron Atkinson was sacked and succeeded by Alex Ferguson.
The only bright spot was the performance of Hojlund who, apart from his two goals, worked tirelessly and featured prominently in United’s build-up play.
But at the opposite end of the pitch, United’s defence was as leaky as the rooves of the Old Trafford stands as they were carved open at will. How they miss the injured Argentine Lissandro Martinez.
It was a historic night for Galatasaray who won for the first time in four visits to United and their first ti
And it extended the club’s unbeaten start to the season in all competitions to 15 games. Remarkably they have had to come through Champions League qualifying rounds and this was their eighth game in the competition.
Ten Hag said: “The mental errors we make, you cannot allow them at this level. You get punished. This is difficult to control. We are all in this together. We were twice up and in control of the game. We expect more together.”
On Rasmus Hojlund’s two goals, he said: “Rasmus scored two great goals. We’re happy with that but of course but we didn’t win the game. He can be really happy with his goals.”
United’s Christian Eriksen added: “It’s a big disappointment. It was very quiet in the dressing room. I think we had some good spells in game.
“No, I don’t think it’s about confidence. It’s awareness and sharpness and wrong decisions at wrong times. A lot needs to be done. It’s the details. If we don’t make mistakes, we don’t concede like we do.
“Luckily it’s only the start of the competition and we know there are a lot of games to play.”
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk described the victory as “important for Turkish football and for our standing in the group”.
Ten Hag named winger Antony in his matchday squad for the first time since September 3 after allegations of domestic abuse were made against him.
The Brazilian, who denies those claims, was on the bench.
There was one change to the starting line-up following Saturday’s 1-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace with Hannibal Mejbri coming in for Facundo Pellistri.
Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk also made just one change following a 2-1 win against Ankaraguku last time out.
Abdulkerim Bardakci came in to replace Kerem Demirbay in midfield.
Former Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha started and was one of five players in the starting line-up with Premier League experience.
United had a big chance to take the lead after only 78 seconds when Hojlund broke down the left and crossed to Bruno Fernandes who side-footed wide from 10 yards when he ought to have hit the target.
The Reds made the breakthrough in the 17th minute when Marcus Rashford broke clear on the right and crossed to the far post for Hojlund to head into the roof of the net, his second goal for United, both in the Champions League and his first at Old Trafford.
Embed from Getty ImagesGalatasaray equalised six minutes later through United old-boy Saha, and how he celebrated as he had an unhappy two seasons at Old Trafford.
The former Crystal Palace striker raced onto a long through ball, brushed past Diogo Dalot who deflected Saha’s shot which looped over keeper Andre Onana.
United had a huge chance to regain the lead shortly before the break when Mason Mount’s goalmouth shot was blocked by team-mate Hannibal.
Ten Hag made a change for the restart as Hannibal, on a booking, was replaced by Eriksen.
United began brightly as Rashford broke clear on the right and crossed for Fernandes but the ball was cut out by a defender.
The resulting corner was cleared to Mount whose shot from distance was turned over the bar by keeper Fernando Muslera.
Hojlund had the ball in the net just before the hour, but his joy was cut short as he was flagged for offside after running on to Mount’s pass.
United were rewarded for their efforts midway through the half when Hojlund struck again.
Central defender Davinson Sanchez, who is on loan from Tottenham, slipped near half way allowing Hojlund to sprint clear and cooly slot the ball past keeper Muslera.
Ten Hag took off Rashford who was replaced by Alejandro Garnacho.
Again United were unable to hold on to their lead as Galatasaray were level inside four minutes.
They already had a warning moments earlier when Kerem Akrukoglu shot narrowly wide.
The same player struck again as he ran on to a Bans Alper Yilmaz pass to find home with ease.
It got worse for United when they were reduced to 10 men when Casemiro conceded a penalty for binging down substitute Dries Mertens and picking up a second yellow card.
However, there was a reprieve when Mauro Icardi fired wide from the spot.
But it was only short-lived as three minutes later the Argentine made amends as he put the Turks ahead for the first time.
A defensive header from Sanchez sailed over the United defence which evaporated as Icardi raced clear to loft the ball over Onana from the edge of the box.
Ten Hag had to go for broke as Antony and Anthony Martial replaced Mount and Sofyan Amrabat.
In the first of seven added minutes, Mertens fired agonisingly wide as they almost netted a fourth which would have sealed victory.