MX23RW : Wednesday, October 2 06:43:05| >> :120:12578:12578:
[monks data]
Manchester United logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 24, 2020 at 8pm UK
Old Trafford
Istanbul Basaksehir

Man Utd
4 - 1
Istanbul

Fernandes (7', 19'), Rashford (35' pen.), James (90+2')
Tuanzebe (55'), Maguire (86')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Turuc (75')
Skrtel (78'), Tekdemir (85'), Turuc (89')

Solskjaer insists "the group is still very open" following Basaksehir win

Solskjaer insists
© Reuters
Manchester United beat Istanbul Basaksehir 4-1 to move closer to qualifying from Group H.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not taking progress to the Champions League knockout phase for granted despite Manchester United's important victory against Istanbul Basaksehir.

November started with a shock defeat at the Turkish champions that dented their chances of progressing from Group H, which the Red Devils had opened with impressive wins against Paris St Germain and RB Leipzig.

But United got back on track at an empty Old Trafford on Tuesday evening, with Bruno Fernandes' brace added to by Marcus Rashford's penalty and a late goal from substitute Daniel James.

Edinson Cavani
Edinson Cavani got his first Manchester United start (Martin Rickett/PA)

The 4-1 triumph means Solskjaer's side only need a point from their final two matches to qualify for the last 16, but next week's home match against PSG and the trip to Leipzig means the manager is not getting ahead of himself.

"The group is still very open," the Norwegian said.

"We've got nine, two on six points (PSG and RB Leipzig) and Basaksehir on three, so we still need points to go through.

"One probably should be enough and three probably gives you the win, so hopefully against PSG we can secure the points we need but that's another matter.

"Edinson (Cavani on his first start) and Donny (van de Beek) did really well, both of them.

Manchester United v Istanbul Basaksehir – UEFA Champions League – Group H – Old Trafford
Bruno Fernandes, right, opened the scoring at Old Trafford (Martin Rickett/PA)

"Of course I thought the whole team played really well. We found our positions and the tempo with the ball was really good.

"We deserved the win, of course, after that first half. Second half is always different and more difficult to keep the tempo when you're winning 3-0."

Fernandes' stunner seven minutes into the match was comfortably the highlight of the clash.

Asked if he ever gets surprised by the Portuguese's contribution, Solskjaer said: "Not really, no.

"Of course we see him every day in training. We knew what we were going to get when we got Bruno to the team. He's a player who likes to take risks. He likes to create chances, he likes to score goals.

Manchester United v Istanbul Basaksehir – UEFA Champions League – Group H – Old Trafford
Marcus Rashford scored a penalty after Fernandes kept a promise to the striker (Martin Rickett/PA)

"He's a winner, he wants the team to win and he wants the team to do well. I think it shows today that he can do more than just take penalties."

Fernandes added to his thumping opener after Basaksehir goalkeeper Mert Gunok flapped at a cross and looked set to have the chance to wrap up a first-half hat-trick.

But United's regular penalty taker – who fired home the spot-kick that saw off West Brom on Saturday – selflessly gave the ball to Rashford to score from 12 yards.

"Of course, every player wants to score a hat-trick, you know?" Fernandes told BT Sport.

"But after the game (against West Brom) in the Premier League I told Rashy he will take the next one. I remembered that. Also Rashy is one of the top scorers in the Champions League so I think it will be important for him to keep going there and taking that confidence.

"As I say, it doesn't matter who takes the penalties, the most important (thing) is scoring. When the team scores, I score too."

Fernandes was taken off early in the second half with Sunday's league match at high-flying Southampton looming large and Solskjaer's swathe of substitutions helped Basaksehir step up a gear.

David De Gea was unable to keep out Deniz Turuc's free-kick as the visitors pulled one back before Edin Visca hit the crossbar on a difficult Old Trafford return for former United full-back Rafael.

He said: "It was tough. We knew it would be tough against this United side. We did better in the second half, but the first half was not so good.

"We knew they would be very strong. We could have done a little bit better in some cases, but it was always going to be very difficult.

"It was very special to be back here. Everyone knows what I think about this club. It was a shame about the result, but it was very special for me."

ID:423662: cacheID:423662:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10590:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Paul Pogba in action with Everton's Allan in the Premier League on November 7, 2020
Read Next:
Paul Pogba returns to Man Utd training
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Dortmund22006
2B. Leverkusen22006
3Brest22006
4Inter Milan21104
5Man City21104
6Sparta Prague21104
7Arsenal21104
8Sporting Lisbon21104
9Monaco11003
10Bayern11003
11Barcelona21013
12Aston Villa11003
13Juventus11003
14Liverpool11003
15Real Madrid11003
16Atletico11003
17Benfica11003
18PSG21013
19Celtic21013
20Bologna10101
21Shakhtar10101
22Atalanta10101
23PSV20111
24Stuttgart20111
25Girona10010
26RB Leipzig10010
27Sturm Graz10010
28Lille10010
29AC Milan20020
30Brugge10010
31Feyenoord10010
32Red Star20020
33Dinamo Zagreb10010
34Salzburg20020
35Slovan Bratislava20020
36Young Boys20020


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!