Mauro Icardi scores late winner after Casemiro is sent off following a calamitous mistake from Andre Onana… as Wilfried Zaha enjoys dream Old Trafford return
- United are backside of Group A after shedding 3-2 at Old Trafford to Galatasaray
- Erik ten Hag’s males led twice, however imploded in a calamitous final 20 minutes
- Click HERE to take heed to the most recent episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’
It’s 30 years in the past this month since Manchester United trailed Galatasaray 3-2 in the direction of the tip of a Champions League tie at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson’s aspect discovered a method again that evening – the nice groups often do – and Eric Cantona saved the day with a late equaliser.
But this is not a nice Manchester United crew. They don’t have gamers like Cantona anymore. It’s a weak imitation of the legends of the previous. United Lite, and that’s being beneficiant.
The newest low in what is threatening to show into catastrophic marketing campaign noticed the Turks inflict a sixth defeat in 10 video games on Erik ten Hag’s aspect at Old Trafford final evening.
Not solely have United made their worst begin to a Premier League season, they’ve now kicked off the Champions League with back-to-back defeats in Group A. These are darkish days certainly.
What made this all of the extra painful was that it regarded like being fairly a good evening. Ramus Hojlund was excellent. United’s £72million striker scored two and had one other dominated out for offside.
But having scored three and conceded 4 within the Group A opener in opposition to Bayern Munich a fortnight in the past, United had been at it once more.
One step ahead, two steps again. This, sadly, is the story of their season and it continued right here.
Twice they led and twice they had been pegged again earlier than Mauro Icardi snatched the winner. Casemiro obtained the third crimson card of his United profession, goalkeeper Andre Onana continues to wrestle, and the choice to play Sofyan Amrabat as a makeshift defender backfired – simply as it did within the defeat to Crystal Palace right here on Saturday.
The story then was of a United crew that defended properly however couldn’t rating. Here it was the precise reverse.
United’s begin is now their worst in 37 years and extra boos on the closing whistle advised Ten Hag that Saturday’s conflict with Brentford right here is a essential one.
The Dutchman claimed he nonetheless has the backing of the board, saying: ‘We are in a very difficult period but we come out together, fight together, stick together. That is me, the directors, the team altogether.’
United had been rewarded for a begin brimming with vitality and urgency within the 17th minute when Marcus Rashford chased Casemiro’s cross down the proper.
Rashford has been criticised for his decision-making, however this time he obtained it good. The ball guided to the sting of the six-yard field was simply out of Davinson Sanchez’s attain however good for Hojlund to move dwelling.
However, this is a Galatasaray aspect filled with gamers with Premier League and European expertise, and so they weren’t about to be swept away within the Manchester rain.
As VAR concluded that Sanchez had performed Rashford onside, Wilfried Zaha become recent footwear that had been ready on the touchline.
With new boots on his ft and revenge on his thoughts, the person who endured such an sad spell at United hit again.
Zaha tangled with Diogo Dalot as they competed for Sanchez’s punt ahead, however he was too robust and too savvy for the United defender. Zaha manoeuvred sufficient house to volley the ball into the bottom and over Onana.
After Rashford unforgivably wasted a probability to current Fernandes with an open purpose, Hojlund restored United’s lead within the 67th minute.
Sacha Boey slipped on midway as he tried to succeed in Sergio Oliveira’s stray cross and the Dane was clear. Hojlund charged away and drew Fernando Muslera earlier than dinking over the keeper.
Again United gave up the lead. There appeared little menace from a throw-in however Amrabat was left trailing by Baris Alper Yilmaz who squared for the unmarked Kerem Akturkogluto rating.
Then extra hassle within the 76th minute. Onana under-hit a cross to Casemiro and Dries Mertens intercepted. Casemiro was by no means going to sort out him legally and his lunging problem resulted in a penalty and a second yellow card.
The Brazilian was off however so was Icardi, dragging his spot-kick broad of the publish.
There was a closing twist and once more Amrabat was concerned. He pumped a ball ahead within the 81st minute and was enjoying Icardi onside when Sanchez’s header discovered its method by way of to the No.9.
Icardi raced clear and this time there was no escape and no Cantona to bail United out.
