In the 5th match of Group A Champions League, Man United was held to a 3-3 draw by host Galatasaray despite sometimes leading by 2 goals.
Man United started well
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After the 4th match, Bayern Munich soon won the ticket with a record of winning all 4 matches. On the contrary, Man United sunk deep to the bottom of the table with only 3 points. They are 1 point behind Galatasaray and Copenhagen.
One of the reasons why Man United played poorly in the Champions League was Andre Onana’s mistakes.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper made disastrous mistakes in both losses to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray in the first leg.
And when Man United fell into a dead end situation, Onana once again sunk the home team’s hopes with his silly mistakes.
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Man United got off to a very good start against Galatasaray. In the 11th minute, Garnacho scored the opening goal for the “red devils” after a successful attempt to bounce and poke the ball by Bruno Fernandes. Receiving the ball in an empty position in the penalty area, Garnacho unleashed a powerful, unstoppable shot.
Just 7 minutes later, Fernandes scored again. From the midfield breakthrough, Man United’s captain midfielder launched a beautiful long-range shot at a distance of about 20 meters. The ball flew in an uncomfortable trajectory, leaving goalkeeper Muslera helpless even though he was flying at his full height.
Onana changes the game
Leading 2-0, Man United plays better and better. But at the time when the “red devils”‘ confidence was at its highest, they received cold water from a classy free kick from Hakim Ziyech in the 29th minute.
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Onana’s mistake caused all of her teammates’ efforts to go down the drain
On the free kick spot about 20 meters from the goal, Ziyech cleverly sent a low shot into Onana’s right corner.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper made a confusing choice when he planned to lean toward his teammates’ fence. He was deceived by Ziyech and immediately had to go into the net to pick up the ball.
With an unexpected equalizer, Galatasaray raised the attacking team high. And they created quite a few scoring situations after that.
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Engrossed in attacking, the home team was hit by Man United’s counterattack in the 55th minute. McTominay rushed in to meet Wan-Bissaka’s precise cross and beat goalkeeper Muslera with a one-touch finish from close range.
After this goal, coach Erik Ten Hag withdrew Amrabat and Hojlund with the purpose of reinforcing the defense.
But then his team received another shocking defeat due to Onana’s repeated mistakes. Still on the free kick, and still Ziyech.
The location of the free kick is almost similar to Ziyech’s first goal, but the distance is longer and is located completely to the left of the edge of the penalty area. Ziyech sent a nasty ball into the middle of the goal.
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Onana’s second conceding situation
This time Onana threw herself in the right direction but clumsily missed the ball in the surprise of her teammates. Galatasaray had a goal to shorten the score to 2-3 in the 62nd minute.
And just 9 minutes later, Galatasaray equalized 3-3 as a matter of course. This time the scorer was Akturkoglu who escaped to receive Ziyech’s pass and then took a decisive shot.
Onana even played poorly in this situation by closing the angle inappropriately before the opponent’s not-so-difficult shot.
After this defeat, Man United attacked fiercely. And Galatasaray does the same thing in reverse.
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The away team is the one who creates more opportunities in the last 20 minutes of the match. But then the grace of Martial, Pellistri, and Garnacho helped Galatasaray’s goal stand firm. As a result, Man United was held to a regrettable 3-3 draw away from home.
In the remaining match of Group A, Copenhagen held Bayern Munich to a scoreless draw. This result helps the Danish team maintain 2nd place with 5 points, Galatasaray is equal on points but ranked lower because of poor difference, and Man United is bottom of the table with 4 points.
In the final match, Man United must win against Bayern Munich, and hope that Galatasaray and Copenhagen draw to win tickets to the next round.