Galatasaray vs Man United final score, result as Onana howler sees Red Devils throw away Champions League fate

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Brad Cox
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Manchester United must now beat Bayern Munich in the final match of Group A in the Champions League to have any chance of reaching the Round of 16. Failure to do so would see Erik ten Hag's side eliminated and potentially back in the Europa League from February — or out of Europe altogether.

In a six-goal thriller at Rams Park, United showed bravery, in what was a terrifying atmosphere, but once again threw away three points they desperately needed. This 3-3 draw with Galatasaray now puts their Champions League fate out of their hands. United have, impressively, managed to score three goals in all three away games in the competition this season, but tonight was their only point gained on the road. A team with a record that poor is not worthy of reaching the knockouts of such an elite competition. 

Alejandro Garnacho, who stole the headlines for his wonder strike at Goodison Park at the weekend, continued his goalscoring form by giving United an early lead in the first half. It was a well-worked goal by United as Bruno Fernandes found the Argentina international on the left before the 19-year-old scored his first Champions League goal.

Fernandes then doubled United's lead in spectacular fashion with a stunning strike from distance. The Portuguese midfielder picked the ball up from Luke Shaw, drifted into the middle of the pitch without confrontation and let rip past Fernando Muslera. It was the first time Fernandes has both scored and assisted in a single Champions League game.

Hakim Ziyech, a disciple of Erik ten Hag's famous Ajax side in 2019, halved the deficit with a free-kick that wrong-footed Andre Onana. The Moroccan punished United's skipper for giving away a cheap foul on the edge of the box.

Scott McTominay then restored United's two-goal lead moments before the hour mark. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was found in space down the right flank by Antony, who surprisingly had a good game on his return to the starting lineup, before sliding a ball across the slick surface to find the Scotsman. McTominay, United's second top goalscorer this season, easily found the back of the net with a composed finish.

Just as you could start to hear the faithful travelling support of Man United in the rafters of Rams Park, the home fans were replenished. Ziyech's cross dropped right in front of Onana and the flakey United goalkeeper redirected the ball into his own net. The Cameroonian had recently found some form in between the sticks, but that was his latest howler in a tricky start to life as the Red Devils' No.1.

Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu, who clawed the Turkish champions level at Old Trafford in October, did so once more. This time, to make it 3-3, the attacking midfielder took an exquisite first touch to break away from Kobbie Mainoo and hit a curling shot around Onana.

With 20 minutes to find a winner, both sides created some fantastic chances to snatch the victory. Former United winger, Wilfried Zaha, struggled against prior Crystal Palace teammate Wan-Bissaka; when the English right-back was substituted for Diogo Dalot, Zaha had two glorious chances but couldn't write his name in the history books.

Fernandes hit the post, Garnacho fired just wide, and Facundo Pellistri twice wasted promising opening inside the box. Every time United went forward, they looked like they would score, but the critical fourth goal never arrived.

Ten Hag's side have won just one of their five Champions League matches this season, their joint-fewest from their opening five games of a campaign in the competition. It's also something that hasn't happened since 2005/06.

MORE: How Man United can qualify for the knockouts of the Champions League

Galatasaray vs Man United final score

  Final score Goalscorers
Galatasaray 3 Ziyech 29', 62', Akturkoglu 71'
Man United 3

Garnacho 11', Fernandes 18',

McTominay 55'

Galatasaray vs Man United live updates, highlights from Champions League

FT: Wow. What a thrilling 90 minutes that was. Manchester United will be devastated to give away the three points after leading 3-1 after 70 minutes.  

92nd minute: Another spell of pressure for United and Shaw's cross finds McTominay but his header is well wide. 

90th minute: How have United not scored?! Pellistri is six yards out and somehow manages to find the goalkeeper's chest.

88th minute: It's another superb opportunity squandered by United. That should have been the winner but Martial never got the ball out of his feet. 

84th minute: That was Zaha's chance to win it but he scuffs his effort! United clear the danger and Fernandes hits the post from miles out! This game is something else. 

83rd minute: A draw hardly helps either side, with around 10 minutes still to play surely there can be a winning goal... but for who? 

78th minute: More subs for United. Garnacho comes off for Pellistri and Dalot comes on for Wan-Bissaka. 

77th minute: CLOSE for United! This time it's McTominay with a drilled strike across the grass but it's slightly dragged wide. He had the goalkeeper beaten. 

76th minute: Garnacho had Muslera at full strength as he curls an effort goalwards. It looked incredibly close but after a replay, it was going quite wide. 

71st minute: GOAL! IT'S 3-3! Akturkoglu draws level with a goal that is quite sensational. His first touch was world-class before catching Onana off guard with a snapshot from the right. We've got 20 minutes to go and the home side look the more likely to go and grab the winner. A reminder, Ten Hag substituted his top goalscorer around 15 minutes ago. 

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62nd minute: GOAL! 3-2! Ziyech again. It's a howler from Onana as Ziyech's weak free-kick drops right in front of him and the Cameroonian's right hand scoops the ball into the back of the net. Just as Rams Park was quietening down, the home crowd find their voice. 

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57th minute: Ten Hag makes some changes. 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo enters the pitch for Amrabat. Anthony Martial comes on for Rasmus Hojlund. 

55th minute: GOAL! 3-1! United restore their two-goal lead. Wan-Bissaka is wide open down the right flank and slides a ball across the slick surface for McTominay to pass home into the back of the net.

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48th minute: What a chance for Galatasaray. Ayhan can't quite direct his volley goalwards as it hits the side netting. It was a great opportunity. 

46th minute: No changes at the break for either side, we are back underway for the second half!

Ten Hag's men have certainly been involved in some entertaining encounters in this season's competition. Ziyech's goal was the 12th United have conceded in the Champions League this season, their most ever in a single group stage in the competition.

HT: Wow. Take a breath, everybody! That might just be the most entertaining 45 minutes of the season. I've got a feeling the next 45 could be even more thrilling. 

43rd minute: Icardi has the ball in the back of the net but, fortunately for Man United, he's inches offside. United get away with one. 

35th minute: Maguire, who is making his 10th start in succession, denies Zaha from drawing his side level. The former Crystal Palace man takes a slightly heavy touch which takes him away from goal and allows the Englishman to block the shot. This game is enthralling. 

30th minute: It's been a busy opening half an hour for Fernandes. The United skipper assisted the visitors' first, scored their second and gifted Galatasaray the free-kick that Ziyech dispatched. 

29th minute: GOAL! 2-1! Ziyech pulls one back for the hosts with a beautiful free-kick. The Moroccan, who played under Ten Hag at Ajax, beats Onana. 

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18th minute: GOAL! 2-0 to Man United! Fernandes doubles United's lead with an absolute rocket. Rams Park is silenced. 

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15th minute: Onana makes a fantastic save to hold on to his side's lead but the ball then strikes McTominay's arm and Galatasaray appeal for a penalty. VAR take a look but wave play on. 

11th minute: GOAL! Garnacho gives the visitors the lead! Fernandes picks him out on the left and he uses his weak foot to blast past Muslera for his first-ever Champions League goal. It's a wonderfully worked move by United. 

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9th minute: The home side have just about had more possession than United in the opening stages of the game. United have threatened on the counter whereas Galatasaray are trying to have patience with their build-up play. 

5th minute: Close for United! Garnacho brilliantly dribbles down the left and finds Hojlund in the box but the Danish striker can't make a clean connection and Galatasaray clears the danger. 

4th minute: Mertens tries his luck from distance but it's a routine diving save for Onana. Nonetheless, it excited the home support even more. 

2nd minute: Every time a United player touches the ball, the home support create a deafening whistle sound.

Kickoff: We are underway in Istanbul! A reminder of what happens if United lose tonight, they will be eliminated from the Champions League.  

5 minutes until kickoff: Galatasaray fans have unveiled a ginormous tifo that reads 'Welcome to hell'...

10 minutes until kickoff: Rams Park is BOUNCING! Kickoff is fast approaching...

25 minutes until kickoff: Six of today's starting 11 for Man United (Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fernandes) also started the game at RB Leipzig in December 2020, when United lost 3-2 and were knocked out of the group stages. 

35 minutes until kickoff: Erik ten Hag appears relatively unfazed by the conditions in Istanbul: "Manchester weather, we are used to it," he told MUTV. 

1 hour until kickoff: Having Hojlund back in the starting lineup is massive for Man United. In his four Champions League outings with Man United this season, he has found the net five times. Among players under the age of 21 representing English clubs in the competition, only Cesc Fabregas and Phil Foden have scored more, each scoring six goals.

1 hour 15 mins until kickoff: We have team news! Rasmus Hojlund returns for United from his hamstring injury. Kobbie Mainoo is on the bench, despite a stellar performance at the weekend, as Amrabat takes his place. Wan-Bissaka replaces Diogo Dalot and Antony comes in for the suspended Marcus Rashford. 

1 hour 25 mins until kickoff: UEFA have released the following statement: "We are closely monitoring the weather forecast, and at this stage, the match will go ahead as scheduled.”

1 hour 45 mins until kickoff: Man United's preparations for the game are going ahead as planned. They've left the hotel and are on their way to the stadium via a police escort. 

2 hours until kickoff: ESPN's Rob Dawson is at Rams Park and says the surface isn't "quite as wet" as earlier. Fingers crossed, we can get this game on!

2 hours 15 mins until kickoff: As things stand, there is currently no indication the game will be called off. There will, however, be a pitch inspection prior to kickoff. 

2 hours 30 mins until kickoff: Man United's Under-19s squad lost 1-0 in the UEFA Youth League to Galatasaray. These were the conditions at that stadium...

2 hours 45 mins until kickoff: Just when you thought United didn't need any additional challenges for what was already expected to be a tough game, there's now a possibility that the match could be postponed. The weather in Istanbul has been relentlessly torrential for the past 24 hours. There is still a long way to go until kickoff, however, the rain does not look like stopping according to reporters at the stadium. 

3 hours until kickoff: Man United fans may want to look away from this stat. Their side have never scored an away goal against Galatasaray in their three meetings. It's the most away European games they've played against an opponent without scoring.

Galatasaray vs Man United lineups

Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk has named a starting squad filled with ex-Premier League talent. Hakim Ziyech, Wilfried Zaha, Angelino, Lucas Torreira and Tanguy Ndombele all start for the Turkish side. 

Galatasaray starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Muslera (GK) — Boey, Ayhan, Bardakçı, Angelino — Torreira, N'Dombele — Ziyech, Mertens, Zaha — Icardi.

Galatasaray subs (12): Guvenc, Nelsson, Karatas, Demirbay, Oliveira, Akturkoglu, Tete, Yilmaz, Bakambu.

Ten Hag has once again been forced into selecting a starting XI based on fitness and suspensions. The likes of Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen all miss out due to injury but the good news is Rasmus Hojlund is back in the starting squad. 

Hojlund, who has scored five Champions League goals this campaign, was a close call for the Everton clash but was pictured training on Monday starts. Marcus Rashford is suspended for this game as he was sent off against FC Copenhagen last time out, so Antony takes his place.

Kobbie Mainoo is on the bench and Sofyan Amrabat comes into the lineup. 

Man United starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana (GK) — Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw — Amrabat, McTominay — Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho — Hojlund.

Man United subs (12): Bayindir, Heaton, Dalot, Reguilon, Varane, Gore, Hannibal, Mainoo, Pellistri, Hugill, Martial

WATCH (USA): The rest of the Champions League group stage (plus three months Serie A, WSL and more) for just $5.97 on Paramount+

Galatasaray vs Man United live stream, TV channel

  TV channel Streaming
USA TUDN USA, Univision Paramount+, ViX, Univision, UniMás
UK TNT Sports 1 discovery+
Australia  — Stan Sport
Canada  — DAZN
India  — Sony LIV, JioTV
New Zealand  — beIN Sports Connect
Malaysia beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect, sooka
Singapore beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect, StarHub TV+
Hong Kong beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect

Every UEFA Champions League Match. 4K UHD. Exclusive & Ad-free on Stan Sport. The Home of UEFA Champions League. 

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Brad Cox Photo
Brad Cox

Brad is a social content producer for The Sporting News

Football
UEFA Champions League
Manchester United
Galatasaray
Galatasaray vs Manchester United