Manchester United can easily qualify for UCL round-16 but Erik ten Hag must do this
Manchester United’s hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stages have taken a significant blow after they drew 3-3 with Galatasaray.
United could not have asked for a better start to the game when Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring with a fierce strike into the roof of the goal. Before 20 minutes had played it was two as Bruno Fernandes unleashed a wonder shot into the top corner.
Hakim Ziyech pulled one back on half an hour as his free kick deceived Andre Onana. Scott McTominay restored the two-goal lead ten minutes after the break with a close-range strike.
However, the wheels ultimately fell off soon afterward. Ziyech added his second from a free kick which Onana inadvertently spilled into his own goal before the comeback was completed by Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglou.
The point now takes United’s fate out of their own hands and MEN Sport has taken a look at the permutations.
What United must do to qualify?
United remain in the Champions League as FC Copenhagen failed to beat Bayern Munich on Wednesday night. Had the Danes won, there would have been no chance of the Reds qualifying for the knockout stages.
With the other game in Group A ending level, Erik ten Hag’s side will qualify for the knockout stages if they beat Bayern and Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw. If Galatasaray beat the Danish team though, United will be out no matter what they do against the Bundesliga side.
Should United now not win their final group stage game, they will be out of the Champions League.