Erik ten Hag has been witnessing a below-par UEFA Champions League campaign of his team Manchester United this season. The Red Devils had so far been able to win just one out of their first five games in the competition this season. Despite, an improvement in their Premier League form, the club continues to struggle in the Champions League.
The Erik ten Hag led Manchester United needed to win against Galatasaray in their recent Champions League clash away from home. The Old Trafford-based side earlier suffered a denting 2-3 loss against the same Turkish club, when the two teams met earlier in England.
However, United failed to make this opportunity count, and get all three points, as the team stumbled to a draw against Galatasaray. With this draw, the Red Devils’ path to the qualification for the knock-out stages of the tournament, remains in limbo.
🚨 The only way Manchester United can qualify from the group:
– Bayern beat Copenhagen tonight
– Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw
– Man Utd beat Bayern at Old Trafford pic.twitter.com/7IzCOXPLd9
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 29, 2023
A report by ‘Football Tweet’ on ‘X’ has laid down the way things should proceed in United’s Group A of the Champions League, in order for them to have any chance of making it through to the next round. The Red Devils would need three results to go in their favor.
United would need group leaders Bayern Munich to beat FC Copenhagen when the two teams face each other. The match between FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray also needs to end in a draw, to boost United’s chances. Then as a final nail in the coffin, Manchester United themselves need to step up and beat Bayern Munich, when the two teams clash at Old Trafford in mid-December.
Manchester United failed to capitalize on an exemplary start against Galatasaray
The Red Devils got a great start in their recent Champions League encounter against Galatasaray. Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes gave Erik ten Hag’s team a two-goal advantage inside the first 20 minutes of the game. It seemed like everything was going United’s way on the night when they really needed a positive result.
However, with the pressure of not bottling up their early advantage in the match, looming at the back of their minds, the team faltered. They gave away an easy goal in the 29th minute of the match, to allow their opponents back into the match.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Champions League 🍿 pic.twitter.com/MXpxBWSBti
— GOAL (@goal) November 29, 2023
As the first half ended United was still in the driving seat with a one-goal advantage in the scoreline of 1-2. The Old Trafford club boosted their lead further in the second half of the Champions League clash and gained a two-goal lead, as Scott Mctominay scored for the Red Devils.
However, then the culmination began, as United slandered their two-goal lead rapidly. The club conceded two quick goals in the 62nd and 71st minute of the match and ended up getting a 3-3 draw result, instead of a win. With the club continuing to choke at crucial moments, fans would hope that the manager prepares them to capitalize on such situations, rather than capitulating under pressure.