Galatasaray 3, Manchester United 3 (UEFA Champions League Group A)
Manchester United’s Champions League fate is no longer in their control after a 3-3 draw in Turkey at Galatasaray.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe result, along with FC Copenhagen’s draw at Bayern Munich, leaves them rock bottom in Group A with just 4 points from 5 games – a record the same as Celtic this term.
United will end their Champions League campaign with a must win game against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Tuesday, December 12.
And even a win won’t be enough as the Reds will be relying on FC Copenhagen to draw with Galatasaray at home in their final match day if they are to qualify for the knockout stages.
Reds boss Erik Ten Hag said: “We win together and lose together. We should have won with the big chances from Facundo Pellistri and Scott McTominay.”
Of the mistakes by Onana, he added: “It’s not about an individual. We need to take responsibility for errors but all of the players in the squad deserve to play for Manchester United because they are brilliant players.”
Things had looked rosy for the Reds when they raced into a 2-0 lead in Turkey with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes within the first 18 minutes.
But Reds keeper Andre Onana will know he really should have done better with his latest high profile Champions League blunders as he failed to deal with two stunning free kicks by Hakim Ziyech.
Ziyech pulled a goal back after 29 minutes with his first free kick which was bent past the Reds’ wall and past the Cameroon goalkeeper who went the wrong way.
Scott McTominay restored United’s 2-goal cushion in the 55th minute after he converted Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross.
But somehow United contrived to throw away that lead after Ziyech scored again after 62 minutes with another free kick which Onana inexplicably spilled into his own net.
And Kerem Akturkoglu came off the bench to level the scores after 71 minutes with a rocket of an equaliser after an assist from Ziyech.
Facundo Pellistri spurned a late chance to win it for United who will need results to go their way to stay in the competition.