Manchester United’s midfield will have a different approach against Galatasaray in this week’s away game in Turkey.
This week’s game away at Galatasaray leaves no room for error for Manchester United. After the team fell 3-2 to the Turkish side at Old Trafford, this week’s fixture looks even tougher.
There is a big difference this time around, because Manchester United have fit full-backs. Sofyan Amrabat had to fill in at left-back and ended up playing Galatasaray’s winner onside.
But this was not the weakness pinpointed after the game by Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk, who tied another area of the pitch.
Casemiro was targeted
The weakness Buruk’s Galatasaray identified was Brazil international Casemiro, with the team keen to restrict United time on the ball in midfield.
He told their official media: “We wanted to put pressure on Casemiro in the midfield with Torreira. Kaan (Ayhan) is a player who plays well defensively and without the ball. We wanted to use both together. I think Kaan performed a very important task. He gave support.”
Casemiro ended the night with a red card after trying to rectify an Andre Onana mistake.
This time around, Casemiro won’t be available, due to an injury sustained late last month, and he may not return until 2024.
Galatasaray strategy remains the same
There may be no Casemiro tomorrow night, but Galatasaray will look towards their midfield pairing to apply a similar pressure.
Turkish outlet Haber report that Buruk wants “to play brave football like in the first match, wanted to shorten the time to win the ball back with warriors such as Torreira and Kaan in the midfield.”
Manchester United have a couple of options in midfield, either Sofyan Amrabat or teenager Kobbie Mainoo, who was so impressive on his Premier League debut against Everton.
Whoever starts, will have to be sharp in possession and remain calm in a cauldron of an atmosphere in Turkey, with United desperate to get a result, while Galatasaray are looking to get back on the board after back to back losses to Bayern Munich.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/GZdlDUF