THE NOTEBOOK: Man United met with huge ‘Welcome to Hell’ collage and Galatasaray ultras issue phone ban… while former United star makes surprise visit to team hotel in Turkey
- MATCH REPORT: Manchester United twice give up a two-goal lead in 3-3 draw
- Man Utd PLAYER RATINGS: Andre Onana has a NIGHTMARE in Istanbul
- Was Garnacho’s overhead kick REALLY the greatest ever? Listen to the debate on It’s All Kicking Off
Manchester United twice gave up a two-goal lead in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Galatasaray on Wednesday that just kept alive their slim hopes of reaching the Champions League last 16.
United’s Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay scored in a breathless game, but the single point kept Erik ten Hag’s team in fourth place in Group A on four points after five matches.
United roared into an early 2-0 lead through Garnacho and Fernandes before Hakim Ziyech pulled one back from a free kick following an error by the English team’s goalkeeper Andre Onana.
McTominay put United 3-1 up soon after halftime but Ziyech slotted home another free kick under Onana’s arm and Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu equalised for Galatasaray in the 71st minute.
Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler takes a look at some of things you may have missed.
A huge ‘Welcome to Hell’ collage greeted the players as they emerged from the tunnel
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Welcome to Hell
The stadium PA repeatedly told fans not to get rid of the cards on their seats before kick-off and it soon became apparent why.
They made up a huge ‘Welcome to Hell’ collage as the two teams emerged from the tunnel, reminding United of their first, uncomfortable visit to Istanbul 30 years ago.
Another prep-prepared banner declared ominously: ‘Your nightmare is back again!’
Welcome to swell!
Even the locals were surprised by the scale of the thunderstorms and rain that hit Istanbul in the 24 hours before last night’s match, swamping the pitch and putting the fixture in some doubt.
Staff went into panic mode at the restaurant where we had lunch yesterday when water started pouring through the glass roof.
On Tuesday night, residents of the Ortakoy district of town were taking videos and selfies against a backdrop of the Bosphorus as the waves on the river whipped up and crashed onto the streets. Welcome to swell!
Ultras ban phones
The Galatasaray fans were certainly fired up for this one.
On social media, supporters were urged not to be pre-occupied using their mobile phones to take photos and videos because it might distract them from their participation in making sure United were met with a wall of noise.
They didn’t disappoint.
Some of the Turkish journalists in the press box here became particularly animated when Galatasaray scored or went close to a goal … until you realised that none of them had laptops.
Mainoo left on the bench
Erik ten Hag sensibly left Kobbie Mainoo on the bench for this tie and started with Sofyan Amrabat.
The teenager had a fantastic Premier League debut at Everton on Sunday, but Goodison Park is one thing and Galatasaray is something else altogether.
Fred (left) with former United team-mate Bruno Fernandes at the team hotel in Turkey
Fred drops in at team hotel
United had a surprise visitor to their hotel in Istanbul before the game when Fred dropped in on his old teammates.
The Brazilian midfielder moved to the Turkish capital with Galatasaray’s rivals Fenerbahce for £8.5million in the summer, ending a five-year stay at Old Trafford.
Fred made 213 appearances for the Red Devils. He managed to score 14 goals and was part of Erik ten Hag’s Carabao Cup-winning squad last season.
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
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