It’s 30 years ago this month since Manchester United trailed Galatasaray 3-2 towards the end of a Champions League tie at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side found a way back that night – the great teams usually do – and Eric Cantona saved the day with a late equaliser.
But this is not a great Manchester United team. They don’t have players like Cantona anymore. It’s a weak imitation of the legends of the past. United Lite, and that’s being generous.
The latest low in what is threatening to turn into catastrophic campaign saw the Turks inflict a sixth defeat in 10 games on Erik ten Hag’s side at Old Trafford last night.
Not only have United made their worst start to a Premier League season, they have now kicked off the Champions League with back-to-back defeats in Group A. These are dark days indeed.
What made this all the more painful was that it looked like being quite a good night. Ramus Hojlund was outstanding. United’s £72million striker scored two and had another ruled out for offside.
Mauro Icardi scored the winner for Galatasaray at Old Trafford on Tuesday night after fluffing his lines at the first time of asking
Fortunes entirely turned against the Premier League side with a red card for Casemiro
Erik ten Hag has watched his team lose five of their last seven games in a dire start for the side
But having scored three and conceded four in the Group A opener against Bayern Munich a fortnight ago, United were at it again.
One step forward, two steps back. This, sadly, is the story of their season and it continued here.
Twice they led and twice they were pegged back before Mauro Icardi snatched the winner. Casemiro got the third red card of his United career, goalkeeper Andre Onana continues to struggle, and the decision to play Sofyan Amrabat as a makeshift defender backfired – just as it did in the defeat to Crystal Palace here on Saturday.
The story then was of a United team that defended well but couldn’t score. Here it was the exact opposite.
Casemiro’s feisty challenge on Dries Mertens in the second-half put United down to 10 men
Icardi missing the penalty handed United only a momentary reprieve – but it didn’t last long
United’s start is now their worst in 37 years and more boos at the final whistle told Ten Hag that Saturday’s clash with Brentford here is a crucial one.
The Dutchman claimed he still has the backing of the board, saying: ‘We are in a very difficult period but we come out together, fight together, stick together. That is me, the directors, the team altogether.’
United were rewarded for a start brimming with energy and urgency in the 17th minute when Marcus Rashford chased Casemiro’s pass down the right.
Rashford has been criticised for his decision-making, but this time he got it just right. The ball guided to the edge of the six-yard box was just out of Davinson Sanchez’s reach but perfect for Hojlund to head home.
However, this is a Galatasaray side full of players with Premier League and European experience, and they were not about to be swept away in the Manchester rain.
As VAR concluded that Sanchez had played Rashford onside, Wilfried Zaha changed into fresh footwear that had been waiting on the touchline.
With new boots on his feet and revenge on his mind, the man who endured such an unhappy spell at United hit back.
Rasmus Hojlund scored twice for United and looked pacey and brilliant throughout the night
The Dane looked at his best upfront but had his second attempt at goal ruled out for offside
Zaha tangled with Diogo Dalot as they competed for Sanchez’s punt forward, but he was too strong and too savvy for the United defender. Zaha manoeuvred enough space to volley the ball into the ground and over Onana.
After Rashford unforgivably wasted a chance to present Fernandes with an open goal, Hojlund restored United’s lead in the 67th minute.
Sacha Boey slipped on halfway as he tried to reach Sergio Oliveira’s stray pass and the Dane was clear. Hojlund charged away and drew Fernando Muslera before dinking over the keeper.
Again United gave up the lead. There seemed little threat from a throw-in but Amrabat was left trailing by Baris Alper Yilmaz who squared for the unmarked Kerem Akturkogluto score.
Wilfried Zaha stunned Old Trafford on his return to Manchester with an equaliser in search of revenge in the north
Travelling fans flooded the storied ground and made their presence known on a crucial night
Then more trouble in the 76th minute. Onana under-hit a pass to Casemiro and Dries Mertens intercepted. Casemiro was never going to tackle him legally and his lunging challenge resulted in a penalty and a second yellow card.
The Brazilian was off but so was Icardi, dragging his spot-kick wide of the post.
There was a final twist and again Amrabat was involved. He pumped a ball forward in the 81st minute and was playing Icardi onside when Sanchez’s header found its way through to the No.9.
Icardi raced clear and this time there was no escape and no Cantona to bail United out.
