Manchester United-Galatasaray is a match from the second day of the Champions League group stage and is played on Tuesday at 9pm: TV, predictions.
Last Saturday saw another thud for Manchester United, just when the Red Devils were starting to show signs of recovery.
Crystal Palace, who only a few days before had been overwhelmed 3-0 in the League Cup, took immediate revenge, defeating Old Trafford (0-1) and slowing down the chase of Erik ten Hag’s men, who currently occupy an anonymous tenth place after having barely won 9 points in 7 games. An unsatisfactory haul for the club’s ambitions. Even in the Champions League, Bruno Fernandes and his teammates already find themselves forced to chase: they lost in a daring way against Bayern Munich on their debut and, for now, they are the only team with zero points, behind even Galatasaray and Copenhagen. United’s reaction at the Allianz Arena was late: Casemiro’s double in the last minutes of the game did nothing to avoid defeat (4-3). With the Bavarians having, in fact, already ‘booked’ the first place, it will be crucial for the Red Devils to win the other matches, starting with the one with the Turkish champions. Galatasaray made their debut with a draw (2-2) but were in danger of capitulating in front of their home crowd against an inferior opponent on paper.
What a risk for the Turks in their debut match
The Giallorossi, who, in such a complicated group, are called upon to at least secure third place and guarantee themselves ‘relegation’ to the Europa League, only reeled in the Danes at the last gasp after going down by two goals.
Icardi
Jelert’s expulsion midway through the second half was decisive, leaving Neestrup’s team with ten men, who were then joined by goals from Boey and Teté. In the league, however, Galatasaray are not missing a beat: after a draw on the opening day against Kayserispor, the Istanbul club have won them all, including the last three against Basaksehir, Istanbulspor and Ankaragucu. Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk will have to do without Ziyech, one of the many summer signings, against Manchester United: the weight of the attack will be on the shoulders of Icardi, supported by Zaha (former Crystal Palace), Mertens and Akturkoglu. There will be many absences for ten Hag, especially in defence, where Amrabat will be reproposed at left-back. Both Reguilon and Lisandro Martinez are out.
The prediction
United can do no wrong after their opening defeat to Bayern Munich in what is effectively a direct clash for second place. The Red Devils’ reaction will come but, given the many defensive absences, Galatasaray are likely to score at least one goal at Old Trafford.
Manchester United v Galatasaray matchday squad
- MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Lindelöf, Reguilón; Casemiro, Amrabat; Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Højlund.
- GALATASARAY (4-2-3-1): Muslera; Boey, Davinson Sánchez, Bardakcı, Angeliño; Torreira, Demirbay; Zaha, Mertens, Aktürkoğlu; Icardi.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
