Manchester United travelled to a wet Istanbul to face Galatasaray in a must-win Champions League clash. this evening.
The Red Devils were bottom of Group A and needed a win to keep hopes of qualifying for the next round alive.
Gala’s boisterous fans lit up the fiery encounter, becoming their team’s 12th man.
However, despite their spirited efforts, the Premier League side took the lead in the 11th minute as captain Bruno Fernandes set up Alejandro Garnacho.
The youngster blasted his side into the lead with a ferocious left-footed finish to silence the home fans.
Fresh from his wondergoal against Everton last weekend, this was another brilliant strike to make it two in two.
United doubled their lead minutes later to further deflate Gala spirits as Fernandes picked up the ball before rifling in his fifth goal of the season.
The Red Devils had withstood the hostile atmosphere and led by two goals after 18 minutes. What could go wrong?
Fernandes was having a terrific outing and worked hard to track back and stop a Gala attack but inadvertently gave away a free-kick that Hakim Ziyech dispatched with luck from a deflection to make it 2-1.
Gala fans roared back to life, and their team could have drawn level before the half-time whistle as Mauro Icardi controlled a long ball and dispatched beyond Andre Onana, but the Argentine striker was offside.
Scott McTominay netted his fourth of the season and first in the Champions League after the break as he turned in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross to restore United’s two-goal lead.
Fernandes then gave away another cheap free-kick. Ziyech responded for Galatasaray to make it 3-2, but Onana should have dealt better with the set-piece as he let it squirm through him.
Gala threw caution to the wind, bombed forward and got the reward for their effort.
Substitute Muhammed Akturkoglu took a pass from Ziyech before belting a terrific hit beyond Onana to equalise.
Garnacho reminded Gala of the danger he possesses as he bent an effort wide before McTominay dragged a shot millimetres off Fernando Muslera’s goal.
Facundo Pellistri came on for Garnacho and had two fantastic opportunities to win it for his side but couldn’t take them.
Wilfried Zaha, quieted by Wan-Bissaka for most of the game, had two late chances but couldn’t convert.
United had a few more opportunities to win the game, but this Champions League classic remained 3-3 to leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
