Manchester United will aim to continue their winning run when they take on Galatasaray at RAMS Park on Wednesday.
Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League group stage will culminate on Wednesday. Group A has seen Bayern Munich reach the Round of 16 after winning the first four games. But the race for the second spot will stretch until the final round of fixtures. However, one team can pull clear of another Galatasaray and Manchester United clash at RAMS Park.
Galatasaray started the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League with four points from two games. But they suffered two successive defeats to Bayern Munich on Matchdays 3 and 4, meaning FC Copenhagen and Manchester United remain within touching distance.
Meanwhile, the Turkish giants are in the upper echelons of the Super Lig, only behind leaders Fenerbahce on goal difference. On the other hand, Manchester United will head into Tuesday’s fixture on the back of a three-match winning run in the Premier League.
The Red Devils have regained some momentum in the English top flight, rising to sixth on the table. But their fortunes have not improved in Europe, as Erik ten Hag’s charges sit at the bottom of Group A after losing three of their first four games (W1). The latest setback was a shock 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen on Matchday 4.
The reverse fixture saw Galatasaray come from a goal down to beat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford, with Mauro Icardi scoring the winner. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Galatasaray
Okan Buruk has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Manchester United on Wednesday, the Galatasaray manager might be bereft of the services of two first-team players.
Davinson Sanchez picked up a hamstring injury this past weekend against Alanyaspor and will likely miss Wednesday’s game. In addition, Abdulkerim Bardacki is struggling to recover from a knock he picked up in training last week.
So, Buruk cannot depend on the two centre-backs, meaning Victor Nelsson and Kaan Ayhan should form the central defensive unit. Sacha Boey and Angelino will likely accompany the duo, with Fernando Muslera taking his spot between the sticks. Galatasaray will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Manchester United.
Lucas Torreira has been a workhorse in the middle of the park for Galatasaray this season. The Uruguayan international will pair up with Kerem Demirbay in the double pivot, with the duo looking to keep things tight in front of the defensive unit.
Meanwhile, Dries Mertens was excellent against Alanyaspor, and his performance might have convinced Buruk to give him the nod ahead of Kerem Akturkoglu. Mertens will play behind central striker Mauro Icardi, with Hakim Ziyech and Wilfried Zaha being the two wide attackers.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Muslera; Boey, Nelsson, Ayhan, Angelino; Torreira, Demirbay; Ziyech, Mertens, Zaha; Icardi
Manchester United
Like his counterpart in the Galatasaray dugout, Erik ten Hag has a new roster issue to deal with ahead of the trip to RAMS Park. The Manchester United manager will be without eight first-team players on Wednesday.
Marcus Rashford is the latest absentee, with the English international serving a suspension after seeing red against FC Copenhagen on Matchday 4. Rashford has joined Lisandro Martinez (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Casemiro (hamstring), Mason Mount (calf), Christian Eriksen (knee), and Amad Diallo (knee) on the sidelines.
Erik ten Hag has also been sweating over the fitness of Rasmus Hojlund and Jonny Evans. But Hojlund is in the travelling squad to take on Galatasaray on Wednesday. Antony also returns after missing the game against Everton this past weekend.
But Jadon Sancho’s exile continues and will unlikely end anytime soon, with a January exit looming. Meanwhile, Andre Onana is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Galatasaray.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka should start on the right flank to negate Wilfried Zaha’s influence. The 26-year-old will likely join Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw in the backline. Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo was exceptional against Everton this past weekend.
The 18-year-old should retain his spot in the double pivot, where he will accompany Scott McTominay. Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual no. 10 role, but Antony will replace Rashford on the right flank. However, Alejandro Garnacho will retain his spot on the left wing, with Hojlund returning to the starting eleven to lead the line for Manchester United against Galatasaray.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Key Stats
- Galatasaray failed to win their first five European fixtures against Manchester United (D3 L2) but have beaten the Red Devils in their last two meetings, both in the UEFA Champions League.
- Manchester United have never scored an away goal against Galatasaray in three previous attempts. That is the most European games they have played versus an opponent without finding the back of the net.
- Galatasaray have lost only two of their previous seven home UEFA Champions League games against English opposition (W2 D3). Chelsea in October 1999 (5-0) and Arsenal in December 2014 (4-1) are the only English sides to have won there in the competition.
- Across the opening four matchdays in the UEFA Champions League this season, no team dropped more points from winning positions than Manchester United (six).
- Rasmus Hojlund has scored five goals in four Champions League appearances for Manchester United. Only two players aged under 21 have scored more often for an English club in the competition, with Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) and Phil Foden (Manchester City) both netting six times.
Player to Watch
Kobbie Mainoo
While Manchester United have not been a cohesive unit for much of the 2023/24 season thus far, poor performances from the midfielders have been the biggest factor in their slump. That might change with the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo.
The 18-year-old was excellent on his first start of the campaign, helping Manchester United progress the play efficiently. While their defensive frailties remain, the Red Devils can take the game to Galatasaray if Mainoo rises to the occasion again. That will liberate the attackers and enable them to express themselves better. So the youngster’s output will hold the key for the visitors on Wednesday.
Prediction
Galatasaray 1-2 Manchester United
Manchester United are yet to find the back of the net in three outings at Galatasaray. But that will change on Wednesday, thanks to Kobbie Mainoo’s influence from the middle of the park. While Antony continues to flatter to deceive, others are stepping up.
A returning Rasmus Hojlund will provide a shot in the arm, while Bruno Fernandes will express himself better in the final third. But Galatasaray will provide timely reminders of the reverse fixture throughout Wednesday’s game, with the home support driving the hosts.
Mauro Icardi will add another goal to his remarkable tally this season. But Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho will pave the way for Manchester United to clinch a much-needed win. The Hard Tackle predicts a narrow 2-1 victory for Erik ten Hag and his charges.