It was expected that United would look for a response after losing to Crystal Palace over the weekend. However, despite some strong offensive play last night, including a clinical brace from Rasmus Hojlund, the defense was a laughingstock as the backline simply withered away against the Turkish powerhouses.
After a thrilling match, Mauro Icardi, a former Inter Milan star, scored the winning goal with a deft dink over the charging Andre Onana. That effort summed up another difficult day for the latter player in the Old Trafford goal.
How did Andre Onana fare in the matchup with Galatasaray?
The first goal for the visitors came from a straightforward lofted pass over the top that Diogo Dalot was unable to handle. Wilfried Zaha outmuscled the Portuguese full-back far too easily, but it’s possible that the goalkeeper was reluctant to come get the ball himself.
United Fernandes Champions League Onana ManAfter that, Onana’s night was pretty uneventful, but the Cameroonian goalkeeper caused unneeded anxiety in the Theatre of Dreams shortly after Hojlund had scored his second goal of the game by fluttering at a harmless cross into the box.
The summer signing, 27, was not disciplined for that indiscretion. However, he was soon after penalised for a clumsy ball from the back that ended up right at Dries Mertens’ feet. Casemiro was obliged to bring down the seasoned Belgian and was given a second yellow card.
Interestingly, Onana was saved again when Icardi blasted his next spot-kick wide. However, the Argentine made up shortly after by putting the ball over the United ‘keeper.’ Ten Hag’s new partner, journalist Samuel Luckhurst, had, in actuality,’made it simple’ for the striker.
Though Onana was undoubtedly the villain of the piece, Bruno Fernandes, the club captain, too had some responsibility for that crushing loss.
In the match against Galatasaray, how did Bruno Fernandes perform?
The former Sporting CP star was moved to the right side to make room for Hannibal Mejbri’s comeback, but this should not be used as an explanation for the playmaker’s generally unreliable performance from the start, as he mishandled the ball 26 times in a display of frustration.
Although the £240k-per-week maestro frequently attempts to create chances for his teammates and may therefore be reasonably reckless with the ball, that measure is typically quite misleading. However, in this particular case, there was little of his customary flare, even though he made two crucial passes.
Ten-Hag Fernandes-Onana-Champions-LeagueThe unconventional wide player was a problem defensively, winning just five of his ten duels overall. He also missed three shots that went wide and failed to connect any of his nine attempted crosses.
The United talisman’s unexpectedly dismal performance was summed up late on when, after earlier failing to convert following a deft pullback from the influential Hojlund, he sent a volleyed effort straight into the arms of the opposition ‘keeper, Fernando Muslera.
In actuality, the Premier League team has now been thrown even deeper into turmoil amid what has been a terrible start to the season because the captain simply did not stand up and take leadership on a moment when the hosts needed it.
With regard to their ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League, in particular, Ten Hag’s team will need to perform very well in the final four group games; it remains to be seen if United can fall further lower over the upcoming months. This is because of the club’s previous defeat to Bayern Munich.