Man Utd dropped points despite leading by two goals.

Manchester United lost control of their fate in the Champions League round of 16 after drawing 3-3 with Galatasaray in the penultimate match of Group A.

Manchester United led 2-0, then 3-1, but still allowed the home side to equalize in the rain-soaked match in Istanbul. Goalkeeper Andre Onana made the biggest mistake, allowing his former Ajax teammate Hakim Ziyech to score a brace, both from free kicks. If they had won this match, Man Utd could have lost to Bayern Munich in the final group stage and still progressed. However, having only earned one point from Rams Park, Erik ten Hag's team wouldn't have been guaranteed a place in the round of 16 even if they had beaten Bayern.

Manchester United players bow their heads after midfielder Kerem Akturkoglu scored the equalizer in a 3-3 draw for Galatasaray against Manchester United at Rams Park in Istanbul, Turkey, in Group A of the Champions League on November 29, 2023. Photo: Reuters

This isn't the first time Man Utd have dropped points in the Champions League. In the match against Galatasaray at Old Trafford, they twice took the lead but ultimately lost. Then, against Copenhagen in Denmark, the English club even led by two goals, but still lost.

Galatasaray started brightly, but Man Utd dealt the home side a "cold shower" with two beautiful goals from their early chances. In the 11th minute, captain Bruno Fernandes passed the ball to the left of the penalty area for Garnacho, who comfortably controlled the ball before shooting with his left foot into the top corner of the near post. The 19-year-old midfielder, after scoring a bicycle kick in the previous match against Everton, continued his scoring streak in Istanbul.

Alejandro Garnacho's opening goal. Photo: PA

Once again, Garnacho celebrated a goal in the style of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo, but instead of a spinning jump, he raised his hand to signal the home crowd to calm down. This celebration angered the Turkish fans, who repeatedly threw objects at Garnacho. Fernandes and striker Rasmus Hojlund had to apologize on his behalf, but the Argentinian midfielder continued to point to his ear, provoking the crowd. Only after being reprimanded by referee Jose Maria Sanchez did Garnacho stop.

Just seven minutes later, Man Utd delivered their second blow, this time from a long-range shot by Fernandes. Following a pass from Shaw on the left wing into the center, Fernandes found himself free to shoot from about 25 meters, sending the ball into the near corner and beating goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. As Fernandes celebrated, Galatasaray fans threw objects onto the pitch.

Despite trailing by two goals, the home team continued to cheer enthusiastically, partly due to Garnacho's provocations. As a result, the home players pressed forward, gradually unsettling Manchester United. In the 29th minute, Fernandes committed a dangerous foul from about 20 meters to the right. Ziyech took the free kick and found the back of the net, while Onana misjudged the shot and moved towards the near post.

Manchester United seemed to have secured the victory when Scott McTominay restored their two-goal lead in the 55th minute, tapping the ball into the near corner from a cross by Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right. However, Galatasaray continued to rub salt into the wounds of the "Red Devils," just as Ziyech had exploited Onana's weaknesses. From a narrower corner, approximately 30 meters out, Ziyech once again shot towards the far corner; this time the Cameroonian goalkeeper anticipated the direction but missed the catch, allowing the ball to roll into the net.

McTominay extended Man Utd's lead to 3-1 in the 55th minute. Photo: PA

The one-goal deficit made things even more difficult for Man Utd, before they collapsed in the 71st minute. Ziyech once again shone with a through pass to Kerem Akturkoglu, who raced into the penalty area on the right and fired a powerful shot into the near corner to seal the victory. Onana was unable to close the angle in this situation, ending a disappointing day.

Ziyech is still under contract with Chelsea, currently playing for Galatasaray on loan. He and Onana were teammates and key players at Ajax from 2016-2020, reaching the Champions League semi-finals together in 2019.

Man Utd only managed to mount a comeback when the home side showed signs of fatigue in the final 15 minutes, but the visitors lacked precision. Fernandes' long-range shot hit the post, McTominay's shot narrowly missed the post, and Facundo Pellistri's close-range rebound struck the goalkeeper, all of which only served to dash the hopes of the away fans.

Ten Hag's team is still bottom of Group A with four points. They could be eliminated one matchday early if Copenhagen beat Bayern in the later match of the day. If that happens, Man Utd will only have two competitions left this season: the Premier League and the FA Cup.

Xuan Binh

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