Champions League

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Champions League | Group Stage

Nov 29, 2023 at 5.45pm UK

Rams Global Stadium

Galatasaray
3 - 3
Man Utd

Ziyech (29', 62'), Akturkoglu (71')
Boey (42'), Ayhan (54')

FT(HT: 1-2)

Garnacho (11'), Fernandes (18'), McTominay (55')
Fernandes (27'), Amrabat (45+2'), Shaw (59'), Wan-Bissaka (64')

Erik ten Hag takes blame for Manchester United capitulations in Champions League

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 30 November 2023

Ten Hag takes blame for Man United capitulations in Champions League

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag insists that he is to blame for his team's capitulations in the Champions League, the latest coming against Galatasaray on Wednesday.

Erik ten Hag has refused to blame his Manchester United players for their latest capitulation in the Champions League.

On three occasions in the group stages, United have held leads - twice against Galatasaray and once versus Copenhagen - without collecting three points.

The first two instances left United requiring three points away in Galatasaray on Wednesday night to keep their fate in their own hands regarding qualification for the last 16.

However, despite holding a 2-0 lead after just 19 minutes, the Red Devils would only draw 3-3 in Turkey, goalkeeper Andre Onana at fault for one, arguably two, free kicks from Hakim Ziyech finding the back of the net.

As a result, United sit at the bottom of Group A with one fixture remaining, with that being at home to already-qualified Bayern Munich in two weeks time when they require all three points.

Galatasaray's Hakim Ziyech celebrates scoring against Manchester United on November 29, 2023 © Reuters

Last night and in the upcoming days, Onana is facing intense scrutiny, the Cameroon international having already been at fault for crucial goals in United's Champions League campaign.

Nevertheless, Ten Hag has insisted that finding a solution for United's growing tendency to give up leads in Europe is his responsibility.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the Dutchman said: "It is always me. I am responsible for this. We should have taken three points. This is the same in more games - home against Galatasaray and away in Copenhagen.

"We played so good. So I have to make a compliment to my team but I also have to criticise the team and us as a coaching staff and me as a manager.

Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho celebrates scoring against Galatasaray on November 29, 2023 © Reuters

"We are not defending well enough, we are leading 3-1 and you can't afford such mistakes because it makes a difference."

The 14 goals conceded by United in their opening five matches in Group A is the most ever conceded by an English team over such a period in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, United have become just the second team to let slip two leads of at least two goals in a single Champions League season.

Ten Hag's side are next in action when they square off against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday night, the Magpies trailing sixth-placed Man United by just one point in the standings.