After a crazy game in Istanbul, Manchester United and Andre Onana will be kicking themselves after blowing another two-goal lead against Galatasaray to leave their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.
The game started brilliantly for Erik ten Hag's side, who scored two early goals to put themselves in a commanding position. The second, scored by Bruno Fernandes, was an absolute cracker.
BRUNO FERNANDES, OH MY WORD. ☄️
Man Utd are two up against Galatasaray!#UCL pic.twitter.com/vDAhhafkp2— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 29, 2023
Galatasaray got back into the game later in the first half, with Hakim Ziyech scoring a free-kick that featured some questionable goalkeeping from Andre Onana.
𝐙𝐈𝐘𝐄𝐂𝐇! 🎯
Gets Galatasaray back in the game with a free-kick! It's poor from Onana. #GSvMUN #UCL pic.twitter.com/qolYknvBAL— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 29, 2023
Manchester United looked to have the game wrapped up when Scott McTominay scored their third in the 55th minute of the game, but there was still plenty of drama to come.
It got underway when Hakim Ziyech scored his second goal of the night, being given a helping hand by a disastrous piece of goalkeeping from Andre Onana.
"What on earth is the Man Utd goalkeeper doing there?!" 😳
André Onana will not want to watch that one back as Hakim Ziyech's set-piece pulls another one back for Galatasaray!#UCL pic.twitter.com/o0R7vzaCdO— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 29, 2023
If you had been following United's Champions League campaign this season, you probably knew what was coming next.
Galatasaray would level it a few minutes later, with Kerem Akturkoglu producing a wonderful finish to get his side back on level terms.
𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝟑-𝟑!!! 🤯
Kerem Akturkoglu with a brilliant goal in Istanbul!
What a game!#GSvMUN #UCL pic.twitter.com/2BjGVx4sL5— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 29, 2023
The remainder of the game was filled with a number of chances for both teams, with the English side in particular missing a handful of golden opportunities to retake the lead.
In the end the match would finish 3-3, a result that means Manchester United no longer have their fate in their own hands in this competition.
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Scholes sums up the issue with Andre Onana at Manchester United
This game was the latest example of Manchester United's struggles in Europe, with it being the third occasion in the group that they have managed to throw away a two-goal lead. As well as that, they have conceded a remarkable 14 goals in their five games so far.
Andre Onana has played a big role in that, with the goalkeeper making a number of big errors over the course of the campaign. That included in this game, where he was at fault for at least two goals.
In the end, those errors could see them eliminated from the competition.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, Paul Scholes gave a very grim summary of Onana's performance tonight and summed up what he feels the big issue has been with the player so far this season.
What can you say? It's a terrible mistake again (for the second goal). I'm sure if he is trying to punch it away with his right hand, it's weak.
He makes people nervous. I think he makes his defence nervy, his team nervous. He makes simple saves look really, really difficult.
You see him again here at the near post (for the third goal). I'm not a goalkeeping expert and others will know more about this, but I don't think he should be beaten at the near post. His positioning is poor.
For me all three goals are down to him...
In the last few weeks in the Premier League he has started to look okay, he's looking a lot better. He makes unconventional saves, but it is the Champions League that has been a real struggle for him.
I don't know why, has he been too casual? I just think he's a bit relaxed, his concentration isn't all there. For a goalkeeper, concentration is the most important thing...
You think of the other team and you're looking at a goalkeeper and he's nervous, you think 'I'm just going to shoot and get the ball around him'. He looks like he is going to concede every time.
It's difficult to argue with that. While Andre Onana has made some excellent saves this season, he has also been beaten far too easily on a number of occasions.
Tonight was a prime example of what Scholes mentioned. At a time when Manchester United looked to be in control of the game, he made errors and the team ultimately descended into a state of panic.
That is not a trait you want from a goalkeeper that cost in excess of €50million.
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