Erik ten Hag's transfer gamble back under the spotlight as Man Utd implode again
High up in the stands in Galatasaray's stadium a banner, written as if dripping in blood, chillingly reads: 'Your nightmare is back again'.
It is meant as a reminder of the fear and intimidation Galatasaray's vocal fans can instil in opponents who set foot in the cauldron, but it could have been written for Andre Onana.
For Onana was solely culpable for Manchester United's capitulation here, his two howlers nudging Erik ten Hag's side closer to Champions League elimination. After an error-strewn start to his United career, Onana had settled down in recent weeks, but here he was back to being a liability, gifting Galatasaray two goals with slapstick incompetence.
Tellingly, at the final whistle, not one United player went to console Onana. It was left to his opposite number, Galatasaray keeper Fernando Muslera, to offer his support.
Publicly, Ten Hag will back Onana, but privately he must consider whether the 27-year-old needs to be taken out of the firing line for his own good, with every mistake undermining his continued selection. Back-up keeper Altay Bayindir was the only United player to walk over to Onana at the final whistle. None of those who played did
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Predictably, Ten Hag's players were subjected to whistles and boos every time they touched the ball, but took the lead in the 11th minute to stun the fervent home support.
Join the debate! What did you make of Man Utd's performance v Galatasaray? Let us know here.
Erik ten Hag's decision to replace David de Gea with Andre Onana has not gone according to plan (Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)After impressive work from Scott McTominay and Antony on the right, Bruno Fernandes exchanged passes with Rasmus Hojlund, then funnelled the ball out wide to Alejandro Garnacho. The young winger - fresh from his breathtaking overhead kick at Everton - swept a majestic left-foot shot high into the roof of the net, leaving Muslera no chance of keeping it out.
If that early goal took some of the sting out of the hostility from the home fans, then United's second one seven minutes later silenced them – albeit temporarily. With his opponents backing off, United skipper Bruno Fernandes carried the ball forward before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard strike.
But just as they did in Copenhagen, United ended up blowing a 2-0 lead. They allowed Galatasaray a way back in the 29th minute, Fernandes conceding a free-kick just outside the area. Former Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech drilled it low through the United wall, wrong-footing Onana, who was nowhere near the ball, which went in through the middle of his goal.
Onana's latest blunder has seriously damaged Manchester United's chances of progression in the Champions League (Getty)The goal re-ignited the passion and venom of the home support, who sensed an underlying vulnerability about United and a way back into the game. Suddenly, it was Galatasaray in the ascendancy, putting United under pressure.
Onana looked ravaged by uncertainty and anxiety again, with all of United's fine early work in danger of unravelling. They were handed a let-off three minutes before the break, when Mauro Icardi was ruled offside after dispatching a clinical finish beyond Onana, replays showing just how marginal it was.
But they restored their two-goal advantage 10 minutes after the restart, Scott McTominay turning the ball in at the near post after a slick move involving him, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Antony.
Yet United's capacity for self-implosion is never far away, and when Onana scooped a tame Ziyech free-kick into his own net in the 62nd minute, it was 3-2 and game on again.
Nine minutes later, the hosts were level, sub Muhammed Akturkoglu leaving Onana no chance with a majestic strike from 20 yards out to make it 3-3.
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United bought Onana because he was seen as an upgrade on David De Gea. But with every high-profile mistake, his signing looks like more spectacularly poor transfer business from United.
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