Galatasaray vs Manchester United
Don’t miss the complete playback and highlights of the Galatasaray vs Manchester United match! The game kicks off at 17:45 (GMT) on 29th November 2023 at Rams Global Stadium. José Sánchez will be the referee for this Europe – UEFA Champions League, Group A, Season 2023/2024 matchup.
Galatasaray vs Manchester United Full Match Reports
Manchester United find themselves teetering on the brink of exiting the UEFA Champions League (UCL) after relinquishing a two-goal lead twice in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in Istanbul. This failure to secure a win marks their fourth consecutive game without victory away to Turkish sides (D1, L3).
Erik ten Hag’s squad arrived at Galatasaray’s Rams Park with a singular goal — to secure a victory. Only a win would sustain their aspirations of clinching the second spot in Group A. The daunting atmosphere, fueled by the home fans’ deafening noise, heightened the challenge. Undeterred by the cacophony, the visitors initiated well, breaking the deadlock within 11 minutes. Bruno Fernandes executed a one-two with Rasmus Højlund in the box before setting up Alejandro Garnacho, who skillfully found the roof of the net, delivering two exceptional goals in as many games.
The positive start for United failed to silence the home crowd, but a second goal in the 18th minute did just that. United’s captain, Fernandes, unleashed a sublime effort from distance, beating Fernando Muslera convincingly. The scoring continued, with the Turkish side narrowing the deficit as Hakim Ziyech curled a clinical low free-kick past a confounded André Onana. United, momentarily on the ropes, faced echoes of a Copenhagen-style collapse when Mauro Icardi’s emphatic finish was disallowed for a narrow offside call. Despite this, Ten Hag’s team entered halftime with a lead, a first in the UCL this campaign.
Okan Burak’s squad burst into the second half, nearly restoring parity immediately, but Kaan Ayhan found only the side netting. In response, United counterattacked, securing a third goal. Antony drove toward the goal, played in Aaron Wan-Bissaka down the right flank, and the fullback’s ball into the box was slotted home by the charging Scott McTominay. With the two-goal lead reinstated, United appeared in control, yet they were swiftly pegged back again. Ziyech, hardly believing his luck, received a second goal in peculiar circumstances after Onana fumbled a floated free-kick into the box.
The Lions netted a third goal as Ziyech found Kerem Aktürkoğlu, whose first touch led him away from the goal. However, he displayed remarkable composure to lash the ball from a tight angle, sending the home crowd into bedlam. Despite both teams relentlessly pursuing a winning goal, none materialized, forcing them to settle for a draw. The outcome leaves United precariously clinging to UCL hopes, requiring favorable results along with a victory against Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Galatasaray simply needs a win against Copenhagen to progress.
Man of the Match: Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray).