Manchester United will be fighting to stay in contention for a place in the Champions League knockout phase when they visit Galatasaray. With just three points under their belt, the Red Devils remain at the bottom of the section. Their opponents are ahead of them by just one point and one spot going into the penultimate game.
Preview (Galatasaray vs. Manchester United)
It takes a lot of skill to hold Bayern Munich at bay for 80 minutes at the Allianz Arena. Galatasaray nearly came away from their matchday four match against the Bundesliga champions with a hard-earned point. But after Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick was headed in by Harry Kane, the tie was finally broken. The England captain then gave Bayern some much-needed breathing room with his second goal. Cedric Bakambu’s strike set up a thrilling climax.
However, Galatasaray narrowly missed the opportunity to secure a top-two spot in Group A. The three teams will compete fiercely for second place while group champions Bayern look on with popcorn in hand. Bakambu’s goal in injury time would ultimately amount to little more than a consolation. They have a worse goal differential than their Danish opponents. However, a loss combined with a shocking Copenhagen victory over Bayern would put them in a risky situation ahead of a potential winner-take-all match against the Scandinavians on December 12.
Three days after being defeated in Bavaria, Buruk’s team lost to Hatayspor in the Turkish Super Lig. It was their first loss this season. However, the hosts went back to form on Saturday, demolishing Alanyaspor 4-0. Former Red Devils youth product Wilfried Zaha is among the scorers. Although Alejandro Garnacho, one of the Red Devils’ current offensive proteges, has already made himself into a Premier League legend by paying respect to Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and company, Zaha was one gifted young winger who could not live up to his promise at Man United. Garnacho’s incredible acrobatic effort to open the scoring against Everton on Sunday was reminiscent of Wayne Rooney’s spectacular overhead kick against Manchester City in 2011. In fact, it may have even surpassed the Englishman’s attempt.
Team News
Buruk was not totally satisfied with Galatasaray’s four-goal thumping of Alanyaspor. In the second half, former Tottenham Hotspur defender Davidson Sanchez suffered a grade-two hamstring injury. It prevented the Colombian from playing when Man United visited. Abdulkerim Bardakci’s injury sustained during Friday’s training prevented him from playing against Alanyaspor. It added to Buruk’s defensive conundrum even before the weekend. However, it appears that Bardakci is winning his struggle to be ready for Wednesday. After making the net bulge twice against Alanyaspor, Dries Mertens may once more limit Kemukukoglu to bench time. Victor Nelsson will take over if Bardakci, who started with Sanchez against Bayern, requires more time to recuperate.
While Man United is one of several teams dealing with an injury crisis, Galatasaray may only be missing one player on Wednesday due to injuries to Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (thigh), Mad Diallo (knee), Mason Mount (calf), Jononny Evans (thigh), Christian Eriksen (knee), and Tyrell Malacia (knee). In addition, Antony has become a new source of worry after suffering a knock that prevented him from playing in the victory over Everton. Rasmus Hojlund was also absent due to a thigh ailment, but he was on the verge of suiting up and could be available for Wednesday’s match.
Galatasaray 2 – 2 Manchester United
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