Manchester United twice surrendered a two-goal lead in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday evening.
A thrilling first half in Turkey saw a flurry of goals, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes putting the visitors 2-0 up early on, before Hakim Ziyech pulled one back with a free-kick.
Scott McTominay grabbed United’s third restore the two-goal advantage and ease any nerves but Andre Onana’s error gave Ziyech his second of the game. Kerem Akturkoglu then equalised with a wonderful effort, leaving the visiting Red Devils unable to find a winner and heading into matchday six against runaway group leaders Bayern Munich with only one win from five games.
How the game unfolded
Torrential rain threatened a potential postponement in Istanbul, but kick-off went ahead as planned.
It was a typically cacophonous atmosphere inside RAMS Park, but Garnacho, after scoring a stunning overhead kick at the weekend, was quick to silence the Galatasaray supporters with ten minutes played. Fernandes supplied the Argentine with some quick footwork inside the penalty area before the winger fired into the roof of the net on his left foot.
The hosts could have levelled just minutes later but Andre Onana produced an instinctive stop from ex-Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira’s near-post header, Harry Maguire proceeding to block well on the line from the rebound.
A frenetic opening 18 minutes was capped by a stupendous strike from Fernandes to double United’s advantage, the Portuguese thrashing a beautiful long-range effort beyond Fernando Muslera.
However, Ziyech’s free-kick from 20 yards bamboozled an uncertain Onana at the other end ten minutes later, flying beyond the Cameroonian to cut the deficit and reawaken the crowd. Mauro Icardi thought he’d equalised just before the break with a delightful finish, but his shoulder was offside.
Despite Galatasaray forcing their way back into the match, United went back two ahead shortly after the restart. Aaron Wan-Bissaka made a bursting run down the right-hand side and supplied a low cross for Scott McTominay to turn home from close range.
United looked as if they had control of proceedings but another comical Onana error gifted Galatasaray a route back into the match. A second Ziyech free kick was whipped towards the former Inter goalkeeper, who clumsily parried into his own net in bizarre fashion.
Galatasaray completed their comeback with 20 minutes remaining, Akturkoglu rifling a beautiful effort beyond Onana at his near post from just outside the penalty area. It was a goal of the highest standard in a truly bonkers affair.
Fernandes struck the post with a long-range effort late on but United couldn’t find a winner, dropping two potentially pivotal points and leaving their Champions League qualification hopes in jeopardy.
Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andre Onana – 3/10 – Another shocking night in Europe for Onana. Some woeful errors to gift Galatasaray two goals from Ziyech free kicks. Despite some decent stops, the 27-year-old was characteristically unreliable.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7/10 – Defensively solid and provided a fantastic assist for McTominay’s goal with a great run and cross. Coped with friend and ex-Crystal Palace teammate Wilfried Zaha well down Galatasaray’s left.
CB: Harry Maguire – 7/10 – He made some crucial blocks early in the game to deny Galatasaray and was blameless in the goals Man Utd conceded. Another impressive defensive performance despite the fact his side conceded three.
CB: Victor Lindelof – 6/10 – Comically skinned by Sacha Boey in the first half which almost proved costly. Not as imposing as his centre-back partner.
LB: Luke Shaw – 7/10 – Very impressive on his European return given his lack of football. Did everything he needed to do in a frenetic encounter and managed to last the 90 minutes.
CM: Sofyan Amrabat – 5/10 – Still looks a little off the pace in the United midfield and struggled to get up to speed. The midfielder didn’t make any errors but the game somewhat passed him by before he was substituted just prior to the hour mark.
CM: Scott McTominay – 7/10 – Plenty of lung-busting runs in behind Rasmus Hojlund, as well as doing lots of defensive work. Finished off a lovely Man Utd move to grab the third goal.
RM: Antony – 6/10 – Bar one or two impressive first-half runs, it was another relatively quiet evening for the Brazilian. Certainly the least influential of Man Utd’s three attacking players playing in behind the striker, although he did pose some threat.
AM: Bruno Fernandes (c) – 8/10 – A delightful assist for the opener and a simply sensational strike to double that advantage. Struck the post late on and was his side’s most creative outlet by some distance.
LM: Alejandro Garnacho – 7/10 – The youngster’s quality is unquestionable, just go and rewatch his overhead kick against Everton, but he also showed great composure to open the scoring. A consistent outlet down the left flank but lacked a little ruthlessness in the final third.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – 6/10 – Held the ball up well but was offered very little service by his fellow attackers. Replaced by Anthony Martial early in the second half.
Substitutes
SUB: Kobbie Mainoo (58′ for Amrabat) – 6/10 – Coped well in a fierce atmosphere on the big stage.
SUB: Anthony Martial (58′ for Hojlund) – 5/10 – Offered very little up top as Galatasaray grappled control of the game.
SUB: Facundo Pellistri (78′ for Garnacho) – 6/10
SUB: Diogo Dalot (78′ for Wan-Bissaka) – 5/10
Subs not used: Bayindir (GK), Heaton (GK), Varane, Reguilon, Gore, Hannibal, Hugill.
Manager
Erik ten Hag – 6/10 – His team selection was bang on, Man Utd making a very quick start to proceedings. However, the players again lost their way and ultimately sacrificed two points.
