Manchester United vs Galatasaray

Old Trafford is the venue as Manchester United and Galatasaray go head-to-head in a high-stakes Champions League Group A encounter.

With the pressure mounting on underperforming manager Erik ten Hag amid Manchester United’s worst league start in 34 years, the ‘Red Devils’ will be desperate to bounce back from a frustrating 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend. That result condemned United to a fourth loss in seven Premier League games this season (W3), leaving them stranded in mid-table lethargy. After a jaw-dropping 31-match unbeaten streak at Old Trafford in all competitions, Ten Hag’s lads have struggled in their recent home outings, losing two of their last three (W1). That can hardly inspire confidence in the home camp, though they’ve won back-to-back Champions League H2Hs at Old Trafford ‘to nil.’ Against this backdrop, they’ve managed just one clean sheet in their last 13 Champions League games, including a 4-3 defeat at Bayern Munich on day one.

On the other hand, Galatasaray failed to live up to their tag as pre-match favorites in their Group A curtain-raiser against Copenhagen, drawing 2-2 on home turf, courtesy of a quick-fire double beyond the 85th minute. Though it wasn’t a start manager Okan Buruk was hoping for, his men should fancy their chances in Manchester after going unbeaten in all 14 competitive matches this season (W11, D3), including a come-from-behind 2-1 home triumph over Ankaragucu at the weekend. After ending a four-year Super Lig title duck last season, the Turkish giants did an excellent job reinforcing their squad in the summer, with ex-Premier League stars Wilfried Zaha, Hakim Ziyech, Angelino, Davinson Sanchez, Tete, and Tanguy Ndombele joining the team. They’ll be looking to inspire Galatasaray to their first away win in the Champions League proper since 2013 (D3, L14 since).