Manchester United threw away yet another lead in Europe, leaving their Champions League hopes in jeopardy after a thriller against Galatasaray.
It took United just 11 minutes to get their noses in front, with Alejandro Garnacho firing high into the roof of Fernando Muslera's net. Before the midpoint of the first half, it was two as Bruno Fernandes fired home in style.
United squandered a two-goal lead in their last European game, though, and Hakim Ziyech gave Galatasaray hope of a comeback when his free-kick snuck through the wall and beat Andre Onana. It was almost 2-2 by the break, with Mauro Icardi beating Onana but straying just offside, but United got their third early in the second half when Scott McTominay was left all alone to slide the ball home.
It wasn't over, though, with Ziyech gifted his second by Onana and substitute Kerem Akturkoglu bringing the home side level with 20 minutss to play. Both sides had more chances with Fernandes hitting the post and former United man Wilfried Zaha coming close, but it ended all square.
United's task was clear before kick-off. Defeat in Copenhagen last time out meant another loss in Istanbul would spell the end of their Champions League dream, and Erik ten Hag threw Rasmus Hojlund back into the fold after the pair missed Sunday's win at Everton through injury.
Both teams exchanged chances early on, with Hakim Ziyech and Rasmus Hojlund both trying their luck, as the atmosphere in Turkey made for an energetic start. It was United who struck first, though, with Garnacho picking the perfect time to score his first Champions League goal.
After a five-goal thriller in the reverse fixture, it was non-stop drama once more. United led 2-0 and 3-1 but their opponents didn't surrender, knowing how painful a defeat would be, and here are Mirror Football' talking points from a frantic evening.
1. More questions of Onana
Andre Onana has pulled off some big saves this season, and needed to be on hand to preserve United's 1-0 lead early on. However, even he will surely be baffled when he looks back at Hakim Ziyech's second goal.
The Cameroon international may have been unsighted as the ball crept towards him, but his technique was confusing at best. A weak hand could only divert the ball into his own net, giving Galatasaray hope at a point in the game where all United needed to do was calm things down.
United fans are used to the odd error from goalkeepers, with David de Gea similarly blending big stops and hairy moments in his final season. The question now is how much patience they have for that balance.
2. Fernandes gets it done once but not twice
Questions were asked about Bruno Fernandes' captaincy when United fell to a home defeat against Galatasaray, but he stepped up in this match. If the midfielder scores a better goal this season than the one he netted inside 20 minutes in Istanbul, he'll have done very well.
After Sunday's win at Everton, the Portuguese played down talk of division within the squad "I think we have had this [togetherness] since the beginning of the season," he said.
"Obviously the results didn't show that and you know results are really important in football and these days everyone is expecting you to win every game, even more at Man Utd. The togetherness is there, it's about getting the results back."
If that first goal wasn't enough, he was desperately close to a second - and a likely winner - when he hit the post from range. He might need one more big goal against Bayern now, though.
3. Ziyech sends Ten Hag reminder
Plenty of members of Erik ten Hag's Ajax side which reached the 2019 semi-finals have moved to pastures new in the last four years. While the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt are playing for some of the Champions League's bigger hitters, Hakim Ziyech saw multiple moves collapse before eventually landing in Turkey.
The Morocco star blew hot and cold at Chelsea, but his quality was never in doubt. And so, when Fernandes conceded a free-kick 25 yards from goal, there was always a danger he would do exactly what he did and find a way past another ex-Ajax man in the form of Andre Onana.
Ten Hag seemed to still see something in Ziyech around the turn of the year, when a move from Chelsea was mooted. Ultimately that didn't happen, while PSG and Saudi Pro League switches also fell flat, but a first Champions League goal in more than two years served as a reminder he still has something to offer.
As much as he'd love to claim full credit for his second goal, Onana played just as big a part. They all count, though.
4. Amrabat vs Mainoo questions remain
Before the game, Erik ten Hag made it clear Sofyan Amrabat was getting the nod ahead of Kobbie Mainoo because the latter was just returning from injury. Amrabat had struggled at left-back in the reverse fixture, but here he found himself in a more familiar spot.
The Moroccan wasn't always the most composed in the first half, with the open game testament to neither side's ability - or perhaps willingness - to slow things down in the centre. He picked up a yellow card before the break, to, prompting questions over whether he might be targeted by opponents looking to get another United midfielder dismissed following Casemiro's red at Old Trafford.
Mainoo replaced Amrabat moments after United's third went in, though he'd been ready to come on before. Whether or not this was out of fear over a costly dismissal, Mainoo barely had time to get used to his surroundings before Gala had one back.
In a game full of energy but with little in the way of control, imposing oneself would have been tough for anyone. It will be interesting to see who gets the nod against Newcastle over the weekend.
5. Garnacho flying after wondergoal
Some might have been worried about Alejandro Garnacho's ability to keep up his performance level after scoring one of the goals of the season on Sunday. Garnacho himself wasn't worried, though, and his finish for the opener was one of a young man full of confidence.
There have been plenty of false dawns over the years when it comes to Manchester United wingers, from Chris Eagles to Adnan Januzaj to Daniel James. Garnacho has broken through more effectively, though, and has scored big goals as well as impresive ones.
United almost had another young wing hero when Facundo Pellistri snatched onto defensive panic. However, he couldn't find a way past Muslera.
Was it a fair result in Turkey? Have your say in the comments section
6. State of play
United knew one thing before the game, namely that a defeat would be the end of the road for their Champions League hopes. Three points in Turkey would have been huge, but there's still hope after a point.
FC Copenhagen can still finish on more points than Ten Hag's side, as indeed can Galatasaray. The Danes take on Bayern Munich in an 8pm game on Wednesday, and a shock win for the Danes would ensure United can only finish third in the group at best.
Second is as good as it can get, meaning a tough last-16 draw even if United make it through. The likes of Barcelona or Real Madrid could await, as could their 2022 conquerors Atletico Madrid.
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