Manchester United has no answer but a miracle.
Manchester United drew 3-3 with Galatasaray in the 5th Group A match of the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League (UCL) at 2:45 a.m. on the 30th at Neff Stadium in Istanbul, Turkiye. As a result, Manchester United is in fourth place in the group with one win, one draw, and three losses (four points), while Galatasaray is in third place with one win, two draws and two losses (five points).
United took out a 4-2-3-1 formation. Rasmus Huairun returned to the front line, while Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Antony supported the attack in the second line. Sofiane Amrabat and Scott McTominay worked together in the third line, while Luke Shaw, Viktor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka paired the back four. The goalkeeper's gloves were worn by goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Galatasaray also prepared a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mauro Icardi was in charge of the attack, and Wilfried Zaha, Dries Mertens and Hakim Ziyech were deployed just below it. Tanguy Ndombele and Lucas Torreira were in charge of the midfield. The defense was made up of Angelino, Abdulkerim Vardacchi, Khan Aihan and Sasha Bui, and the goal was kept by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
First half Manchester United ahead in efficiency
Galatasaray took the early atmosphere of the game. Galatasaray, who took a lot of movement from the front, bothered Manchester United's defense. In the fourth minute of the first half, Mertens' surprise mid-range shot from a long distance fell into Onana's arms.
United did not back down easily either. In the fourth minute of the first half, Garnacho broke through the opponent's defense with a one-two pass with Bruno. He scored a cross for Huairun, but failed to score as the defender blocked it. Manchester United, which brought the atmosphere gradually, created the first goal.
In the 11th minute of the first half, the attack was centered on Bruno from the right. Huairun showed a good connection play, and Bruno poked it to Garnacho. Garnacho scored with a shot that pushed it squarely. Garnacho, who stunned the world with a fantastic overhead kick against Everton, scored for the second straight game.
Galatasaray began to go on the offensive more after the run. In the 15th minute of the first half, Mertens scored a kick from a corner kick. Icardi's decisive header was blocked by Onana's save. Later, a mixed-up situation occurred in front of the gate, but Manchester United overcame the crisis.
Manchester United almost lost a point to Icardi due to Onana's mistake, but it rather widened the gap. In the 18th minute of the first half, Bruno caught the ball in a wide space. Bruno, who came in by himself, tried to shoot boldly and shook the net as it was. It was a fantastic mid-range shot.
However, Bruno, the protagonist of the additional goal, also showed a disappointing play. In the 27th minute of the first half, Ziyech gave up a free-kick opportunity by fouling excessively when he received the ball. Ziyech prepared for a free kick. At this time, two Galatasaray players were waiting right next to the defensive wall. When Ziyech kicked the kick, Galatasaray players split, and Ziyech's shot passed in between. Onana, whose field of view was completely obscured, did not catch the trajectory of the ball at all and was forced to lose a point.
As Galatasaray scored a comeback goal, the atmosphere turned toward Galatasaray. Manchester United overcame the loss crisis in the 35th minute of the first half. Boye hit from the right and delivered the ball to the center. Wan-Bissaka's defense was not clear. Zaha caught the ball again and tried to shoot, but Maguire blew himself away and blocked it.
Galatasaray, who continued to drive Manchester United, eventually brought the game back to square one. As Manchester United's attack was cut off in the 43rd minute of the first half, Aihan scored a great pass toward Icardi at once. Icardi, who beat all Manchester United defenders, finished calmly and scored. However, as a result of VAR review, Icardi was very slightly ahead, and the goal was canceled because he was read offside. The first half ended with Manchester United ahead.
Second half Onana's fatal mistake, an irreversible draw
Galatasaray was dominant in the second half as well. In the third minute of the second half, Boye distributed a cross from the right to the gate. Ihan hit the foot, but the shot went to the side net.
Manchester United, which defended Galatasaray's counterattack well, ran away even more. Manchester United, which started the build-up in the 10th minute of the second half, succeeded in advancing quickly. Antony threw a pass at Wan-Bissaka, who was advancing. Wan-Bissaka made a precise pass towards McTominay, who finished lightly. It was Manchester United who won the game.
But United's good atmosphere didn't last long. In the 17th minute of the second half, Galatasaray had a free-kick opportunity near the right side of the penalty box. Ziyech, the main character of the comeback goal, prepared once again. The ball that left Ziyech's foot flew towards the front of Onana. It seemed like a ball that could have been blocked enough, but Onana failed to hit it properly and lost a point. It was a big mistake.
With this goal, Galatasaray began to overwhelm Manchester United again. In the end, the game came to square one. In the 26th minute of the second half, Ziyech stabbed Karem Akturkolu from the right. Akturkolu tried to shoot boldly after overcoming the competition with the defender, and this ball shook Manchester United's net by touching Onana's fingertips. It was the moment when the 3-1 victory was 3-3.
Manchester United, which needed a win to advance to the round of 16, began to be in a hurry. In the 31st minute of the second half, Manchester United had a good scoring opportunity. Garnacho tried to curl it boldly after beating the defender, but it slightly missed the net.
Immediately, Manchester United had a chance again. McTominay drove the ball forward while Galatasaray's midfield was loose. He attempted to shoot boldly, but missed the goal slightly. In the 36th minute of the second half, Facundo Felistri, who entered as a substitute, cheered up. He shook the defense directly from the left and even tried to shoot, but he headed up the sky.
The goddess of victory also began to turn a blind eye to Manchester United. In the 39th minute of the second half, Manchester United launched a counterattack. Diogo Dalot launched a counterattack and sent a cross towards Bruno in the centre. Bruno did not hesitate to shoot a mid-range shot, although it was a long distance, but it hit the post.
A decisive chance also came in the 45th minute of the second half. Galatasaray players failed to handle Dalot's cross properly, and the ball went to Felistri. It was a perfect scoring opportunity, but the shot went straight to the goalkeeper. In the end, Manchester United, which failed to score, ended up in a draw. Manchester United, which only brought one point, failed to escape to the bottom of the table as Bayern Munich and Copenhagen drew. 스포츠토토
Manchester United needs to aim for a miracle
Now it is difficult for Manchester United to advance to the round of 16 on its own. Manchester United has to prepare for the sixth game against Munich, which has confirmed its advance to the round of 16. Munich has already confirmed its advance to the round of 16 and the top of the group, so there is no need to overdo it in Manchester United's away game. In the match against Copenhagen, he also provided rest to players who could not rest by operating a partial rotation. Kim Min-jae was also given a break. Must win against the less motivated Munich at home.
Then United must pray that second-placed Copenhagen and third-placed Galatasaray draw. Even if Manchester United wins against Munich, Manchester United cannot be in second place if the two teams' matches are settled. It's Manchester United who have to sing miracles. If they fail to advance to the round of 16 even after winning against Munich, they will have to blame the problem of scoring 14 goals even after scoring 12 goals in the group stage.
