UCL: Man United's struggles continue
Manchester United 2 - 3 Galatasaray
Manchester United have endured a tough run of form this season.
It took a turn for the worse as they suffered a defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League at Old Trafford.
Mauro Icardi delivered a crucial blow in the 81st minute, securing the Turkish giants their historic first-ever victory on English soil. Despite missing an earlier penalty opportunity to put the visitors in front at Old Trafford, Icardi showed his clinical side by capitalizing on Davinson Sanchez's header, lofting a shot past United's goalkeeper Andre Onana.
This marked United's sixth loss in 10 games this season, with the team now facing its second defeat in the opening two matches of Group A in the Champions League.
Adding to the woes of their manager, Erik ten Hag, his team had twice taken the lead thanks to goals from Rasmus Hojlund in both halves.
On both occasions, Galatasaray responded swiftly to level the score. Furthermore, the situation escalated when Casemiro received a red card for a foul on Dries Mertens, leading to a penalty in the 76th minute.
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Hojlund initially put United ahead in the 17th minute with a close-range header, but the lead was short-lived as Wilfried Zaha equalized in the 23rd minute.
The Danish striker found the net again in the 67th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball from Sergio Oliveira near the halfway line, advancing, and confidently finishing past Galatasaray's keeper, Fernando Muslera.
“That’s a Rasmus goal.” 🤩…
— United Peoples TV (@UnitedPeoplesTV) October 4, 2023
Rasmus Hojlund is going straight to the top. What a performance. 🌟🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/AtowSfPN7K
The visitors equalized once more just four minutes later when Kerem Akturkoglu converted from inside the box.
Shortly after, Mertens made a charge into the area after collecting Onana's wayward pass. However, before he could take a shot, he was brought down by Casemiro, resulting in the Brazilian midfielder receiving a second yellow card.
Although Icardi initially missed from the penalty spot, he made amends when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, securing the winning goal minutes later.
"Disgraceful defending..."
Ken, a Manchester United Season Ticket holder, said: "For 70 minutes we played really well. Then, it all started to really wrong. The defensive errors were shocking and I am really concerned about where we go from here. Ten Hag needs to make changes ahead of the next game against Brentford in the Premer League.
Olivia, another Season Ticket holder at Old Trafford, told us: The sad thing is I was expecting this. The best United have played this season was against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup last week. Why did we not give that team another match. Harry Maguire, for all his criticism, was spot but only played a few minutes. It's really time to change things. I have to say though, Galatasaray were brilliant."
More Champions League news can be found here: UCL and UEL (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
