Goalkeeping errors led to United letting a 2-goal lead slip twice in a game that they really should have won, leaving their Champions League dream hanging by a thread.
Erik Ten Hag protected his goalkeeper and took some positives, but was clearly disappointed with the result.
We played very well, we win together and lose together. We played like I wanted us to play and kept going after setbacks. Of course I’m disappointed, we’ll learn from that but this team is still in development. It’s not about an individual [when asked about Andre Onana] in football. We have to learn how to manage the game when you’re leading and how to get over the line. United fans want to see you be brave, proactive, dynamic and they saw that today. We conceded avoidable goals; that’s hard to take, but we are progressing.
Erik Ten hag after the match
too many errors cost united
In the Champions League group stage away games, United have scored 9 goals and picked up just 1 point.
That is simply not good enough to win big competitions. Mistakes have cost United in the Champions League, and unfortunately, the main culprit last night was United’s Number 1 Andre Onana. Galatsaray’s first 2 goal came from free kicks that he simply should have dealt with, although the wall for the first goal did not help him out at all.
It was a shame as Ten Hag’s tactics were generally good, United played well and scored great goals themselves.
United can still qualify for the group stages but the chances are now slim to say the least, with us needing to beat Bayern and rely on Galatasaray and Copenhagen drawing.
The likelihood is that United’s mistakes and naivety in seeing games out will cost them their Champions League knockout stage spot.
Good performances, bad result
Galatasaray ‘s RAMS Park is a pressure cooker, and probably one of the most intimidating places to play in Europe.
However, United were unfazed and got out of the blocks quickly with early goals from Garnacho and Bruno. The Turks pulled one back on the half-hour mark but Scott McTominay added United’s third early in the second half. United then conceded around 60 and 70 minutes, but still had chances to win the game.
United weren’t intimidated by the Turks’ antics
In terms of performances, Bruno was good, scoring a screamer and bagging an assist for Garnacho. Garnacho himself looked dangerous throughout, the much-maligned Antony played well, especially in the first half, Scott McTominay had a decent game, and Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka played well too.
Player ratings and motm
Onana – 2. Unfortunately, two shocking errors have probably dumped United out of the competition. A real shame as he had started turning in good performances consistently and looked to have gotten over previous clangers.
Wan-Bissaka – 7. Coped well with Wilfred Zaha and assisted Mc Tominay’s goal
Maguire – 7. Mostly reliable and passed the well, although still slow in decision-making on the ball sometimes.
Lindelof – 6. An average performance; some mistakes leading to half chances.
Luke Shaw – 7. Good again, fantastic with the ball at his feet. Can’t help but think United would be having a better season if not for his injury.
McTominay – 7. One of his better nights, industrious in midfield, got up and down the pitch and finished off United’s third goal well. Probably should have won it with a late chance.
Amrabat – 6. Did OK but sometimes appears to not have the speed to deal with quick counters. Taken off for Kobbie Mainoo.
Fernandes – 8 & MOTM. A captain’s performance in a real pressure-cooker environment. Assisted for the first goal, scored a screamer and worked his socks off throughout the match.
Antony – 7. A real positive from the game, Antony looked sharp, dangerous and at times productive. Still needs a more consistent end result to his play but this was miles better than recent performances.
Hojlund – 6. Had a hand in the first goal and as always, worked tirelessly until he was swapped for Martial just before the hour mark. Good to see him back from injury.
Garnacho – 7. Another game, another goal. Took his chance very well on his weaker left foot and looked dangerous until he was taken off on 78 minutes. Looks to be United’s preferred choice on the left wing these days.
Subs:
Martial – 5. Didn’t do much and lacked the pace to get in behind on a couple of occasions.
Mainoo – 6. Calm and composed as always, the manager will have been pleased
Dalot – 6. Looked dangerous bombing down the right, still needs a more consistent end product.
Pellistri – 5. Not his best cameo, missed a big chance to win the game near the end and had some questionable decision-making.
mixed emotions after a classic match
Last night was certainly entertaining, and we should take the positives out of the game. The team played well in difficult circumstances, deserved to win, and aren’t yet out of the competition.
On the other hand, United showed real naivety in letting a two-goal lead slip twice, and the less said about the goalkeeping display the better.
United travel to Newcastle at the weekend for another big away game. If we’re going to get anything out of that and return to the Champions League next season, we’ll need to take the good bits from last night and cut out the mistakes.
