December 25, 2024

Andre Onana endures nightmare as Man United woes continue with defeat to Galatasaray in Champions League

Onana #Onana

Andre Onana had another night to forget as Manchester United’s season went from bad to worse with a 3-2 defeat at home to Galatasaray.

Having lost their Champions League opener at Bayern Munich and slipped to a fourth defeat in seven Premier League matches on Saturday, the Red Devils reached a new low at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Icardi grabbed the third goal of the night for Galatasaray

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Icardi grabbed the third goal of the night for Galatasaray Onana was already on the floor when Icardi chipped him

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Onana was already on the floor when Icardi chipped himCredit: TNT Sports Onana also gifted the ball straight to Mertens before Casemiro was sent off earlier

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Onana also gifted the ball straight to Mertens before Casemiro was sent off earlier

After United had twice led through Rasmus Hojlund, they threw the game away – with Onana a big reason for their collapse with a costly error and another questionable piece of play.

After trying to play out from the back with the game finely poised at 2-2, the ex-Inter Milan star’s pass was easily cut out by Dries Mertens, who raced into the United box.

Casemiro came sliding in from behind and was sent off as a result, giving away a penalty.

While Mauro Icardi dragged his penalty wide, he took advantage of the additional space against the ten-men minutes to later to net the winner – with Onana again not covering himself in glory.

When a cleared header from Davinson Sanchez inexplicably found its way to Icardi in acres of space, the former Paris Saint-Germain star found himself one-on-one with the United No. 1.

The striker attempted a chip but it barely lifted off the ground, though it was still enough to beat Onana, who was already nearly seated as the Turkish side claimed an unlikely 3-2 win.

While United huffed and puffed, they could not get back in the game and they suffered yet another defeat in the Champions League.

It has left them with no points in Group A after two matches, having lost to Bayern Munich in their opener, where Onana was also at fault for another clanger.

Onana had yet another night to forget for United

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Onana had yet another night to forget for UnitedCredit: Getty Casemiro was sent off after a second yellow, giving a penalty away

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Casemiro was sent off after a second yellow, giving a penalty away

And it had started so brightly for the Red Devils, who saw Marcus Rashford and Hojlund combine beautifully for the opener.

However, Wilfried Zaha returned to haunt his old side when his deflected effort left Onana grasping desperately at the air.

Hojlund returned in the second-half to net another, latching onto a mistake from Sanchez, who had slipped to allow the Dane to race on goal.

That was moments before United pressed the self-destruct button, leaving Erik ten Hag looking furious in the rain.

There were boos from the home fans at full-time but they were drowned out by the vociferous support of Turkish fans in the away end.

But with two wins in seven matches, the pressure will continue to ramp up on Ten Hag.

It is United’s worst start to a season since 1986.

They have lost six of their opening 10 games for the first time in 37 years and their chances of getting out of the group stages already look in doubt after just two matches.

Speaking after this latest setback, Ten Hag said there are “no excuses” for his side’s dismal performances, but insisted everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction.

Asked whether he feared for his job, the Dutchman said: “Last season: brilliant, terrific, more than we could expect.

“We also knew in this project there would be common gaps. At this moment we are in a very difficult period as everyone can see but we come out together, we are fighting together, we are sticking together and we are behind each other. That is me, the directors, the team, all together we will fight.

“This is not us, we know we have to do better, with togetherness we will come out.

“If I give an explanation, then you will see as excuses, there are no excuses. We can’t make the errors we are now making. We have to do better, it is a simple fact, we have to win our games.”

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