Manchester United 2-3 Galatasaray: Wilfried Zaha scores as Gala stun 10-man United to heap pressure on Erik ten Hag
In a lively first half Rasmus Hojlund put United ahead with a bullet header from a Marcus Rashford cross. The visitors were level just six minutes later, when Wilfried Zaha overpowered Diogo Dalot to scuff a loose ball past Andre Onana.
A brilliant run and finish from Hojulnd restored United’s lead, only for an equally fine finish from Kerem Akturkoglu to pull Galatasaray level a few minutes later.
A mistake from Andre Onana forced Casemiro into conceding a penalty. Casemiro was red carded, and Mauro Icardi smashed his penalty wide of the post. Icardi redeemed himself minutes later, with a cool finish over Onana to seal a memorable victory for Galatasaray.
Manchester United face an away trip to FC Copenhagen on the next match day, whilst Galatasaray will host Bayern Munich.
TALKING POINT
United are a mess at the back. On the back of a bad defensive performance in Munich, United simply went to pieces at Old Trafford tonight and conceded a number of avoidable goals.
A long ball was allowed to bounce not once but twice for the first, going all the way into the United area before Zaha shoved Dalot aside to score. The concession of the penalty came from another bad mistake from Onana, while the winner from Icardi came from another uncontested long ball straight through the heart of the defence. It was a defeat that might have been a lot heavier than 3-2.
The only green shoot of promise for Erik ten Hag was a dynamic turn from Rasmus Hojlund. His two goals were superbly taken, but he’ll have to keep scoring heavily to keep United in games if they continue to play so badly at the other end.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Kerem Akturkoglu (Galatasaray)
The visitors played superbly in the second half, orchestrated by a slick turn from Akturkoglu. He repeatedly ghosted into the space between United’s midfield and defence to give United headaches, and capped a fine performance with a superb finish for his goal.
PLAYER RATINGS
Manchester United: Onana 5; Dalot 5, Varane 6, Lindelof 6, Amrabat 7; Casemiro 6, Mount 6, Mejbri 5; Fernandes 6, Hojlund 7, Rashford 5
SUBS: Martial 6, Eriksen 7, Garnacho 6, Antony 6
Galatasaray: Muslera 7; Boey 7, Sanchez 7, Bardakci 7, Angelino 6; Torreira 6, Ayhan 6; Tete 6, Akturkoglu 8, Zaha 7; Icardi 7
SUBS: Mertens 7, Nelsson 6, Oliveira 6, Yilmaz 7, Ndombele 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
17’ GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (HOJLUND 17) GALATASARAY 0 Hojlund has his first goal at Old Trafford! Casemiro lofts another beauty of a pass over the top to Rashford, who heads it into the area on the right. Rashford then hooks a cross into the centre, where Hojlund thumps a header past Muslera from six yards out.
23’ GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1 GALATASARAY 1 (ZAHA 23) We’re level, and look who it is! A long ball to the edge of the area bounces twice, as Zaha and Dalot wrestle for it. Zaha outmuscles Dalot, and scuffs a volley into the ground; it loops high over Onana and drops into the net!
67’ GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 2 (HOJLUND 67) GALATASARAY 1 He’s going to be a star, this kid. A loose pass to Sanchez sees him slip over tring to retrieve it. Hojlund latches on to the loose ball, and he’s one on one with Bardakci. Hojlund turns on the gas, sprinting 50 yards with it and tearing past Bardakci, before dinking a lovely, calm finish over Muslera!
71’ GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 2 GALATASARAY 2 (AKTURKOGLU 71) The lead’s gone now! It’s so simple, as Icardi clips a little pass to the right to Yilmaz, who is unmarked on the right of the area. Yilmaz drills it low into the middle, and Akturkoglu drills it low into the far corner!
76’ PENALTY! AND A RED CARD! Oh my, what an error here by Onana. A sloppy pass out of his own area is intercepted by subsititute Mertens, who is in on goal. Casemiro slides in to stop the shot, and brings down Mertens; Casemiro is sent off, and Galatasaray could go in front here!
78’ MISSED PENALTY Whatever next – Icardi drags his penalty wide of the post! This is an absolutely wild game.
81’ GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 2 GALATASARAY 3 (ICARDI 81) Redemption for Icardi! A header from his own half by Sanchez somehow runs all the way through to Icardi, who is clean through and played onside by Amrabat. Icardi steadies himself and dinks a lovely finish over Onana for the lead.
KEY STAT
Manchester United have conceded 18 goals in their first ten matches in all competitions this season, their worst start since 1966-67.
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