Manchester United have lost 3-2 to Galatasaray. Here is a look at five things we learned from the fixture at Old Trafford.
Manchester United woes continue
Manchester United are in a crisis. We knew this would be a tough game, Galatasaray were in good form, and became the first Turkish side ever to win at Old Trafford.
This form is a major problem for United. That’s two straight Champions League defeats, and three losses from the last four home games in all competitions.
Five defeats in seven games, if you want another horrible statistic.
Brentford are up next at Old Trafford on Saturday, and right now, it feels like Thomas Frank’s side are the favourites to win that one.
Rasmus Hojlund loves the Champions League
Rasmus Hojlund scored the opening goal of the game with the type of strike we are just not used to seeing Manchester United players score.
Marcus Rashford led a counter-attacking move down the right, crossing the ball in, for Hojlund to power home a header.
Hojlund has now scored in both Champions League games for Manchester United, having never played in the competition beforehand.
It was not just his goal. His overall game was excellent, from his hold-up play, to running the channels, and his confidence will only grow after this performance.
This was his first Old Trafford goal too. And there was no VAR to rule it out.
Hojlund added to it in the second half, capitalising on a slip from Davinson Sanchez on the halfway line, and ran direct at goal, scoring superbly.
Manchester United lose concentration too quickly, again
This was the third match this season Manchester United have conceded a goal shortly after scoring one. Wilfried Zaha netted his inevitable equaliser just six minutes after Rasmus Hojlund’s opener.
In the second half, this happened too, with United conceding an equaliser just four minutes after Hojlund’s second.
It’s beginning to be a little bit of a worrying trend for Erik ten Hag’s side this season.
Against Arsenal, United conceded an equaliser just minutes after taking the lead at The Emirates.
Then in Germany, United conceded a penalty to Bayern five minutes after Hojlund’s goal, and also conceded what proved to be the winner from Mathys Tel, just after the first of Casemiro’s two goals.
There are experienced players in this United team, who should be able to help guide the team through these moments.
Andre Onana hits self-destruct and escapes, for a moment
It looked liked for the second game in a row, an awful error from goalkeeper Andre Onana was set to cost Manchester United.
The goalkeeper is renowned for his passing – however, a stray pass straight to Galatasaray’s forwards gave up a clear cut chance, which led to Casemiro committing a foul in the box and being sent off.
Luckily for United, Mauro Icardi stepped up and placed his penalty wide.
Questions will be asked of Onana. It was a talking point before the game whether Altay Bayindir should get a chance. It may be something Erik ten Hag considers against Copenhagen.
There is a price to pay for Onana’s error, with Casemiro set to miss the next Champions League game through suspension.
If Casemiro did not make the tackle, it would have been a certain goal. He took one for the team.
Of course, it was in vain, as minutes later, Manchester United conceded a third goal, with Icardi making amends. Onana was beaten way too easily.
The desperate situation was summed up by the sight of Onana desperately going up in the 96th minute to try and score an equaliser. He didn’t.
Uphill struggle for United
Bayern Munich were losing the other game at one stage, before coming from behind to beat Copenhagen 2-1.
We have to hope they keep winning, when they face Galatasaray in the next two games.
United are rooted to the bottom of the group with zero points. Four points below second placed Galatasaray.
We do have back-to-back games against Copenhagen upcoming, however, you really can’t assume these are certain wins right now.
It doesn’t feel like you can confidently back this Manchester United side to beat anybody.
The post Crisis confirmed: 5 things we learned as Manchester United lose 3-2 to Galatasaray appeared first on United In Focus.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/6ZUPkyG