Galatasaray held 3:3 draw by Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League 2nd leg

The surroundings in Istanbul may be more modern in Galatasaray’s state-of-the-art new stadium than in days of old, but there is still a red-hot ‘Welcome To Hell’ reception from the stands and this was certainly a night of suffering for Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.

In a throwback to the era of Istanbul’s infamous old Ali Sami Yen Stadium, where United laboured in Europe 30 years ago, another banner read ‘Your Nightmare Is Back Again’ – and they were prophetic words for the hapless Onana.

United fail to make it out of Champions League Group A, and there is every chance that happens after they twice squandered a two-goal advantage to draw 3-3 in a chaotic classic in Istanbul, Onana will take a large share of the blame.

Bayern Munich’s draw with Copenhagen later in the evening means United must beat the German side in a fortnight and hope Galatasaray draw with the Danish side in order to qualify.

United’s inability to cash in when in control of games in the Champions League this season has been an Achilles heel.

They also let a 2-0 lead slip in the 4-3 loss in Copenhagen and could now face a heavy price, with their fate out of their hands and Bayern Munich, with of course Harry Kane, to come in the final game at Old Trafford.

No-one can complain about entertainment value in United’s return to the Champions League but it rather loses its lustre when you list the five leads they have lost.

Fans, management and players will look back with regret at a 4-3 loss away to Bayern, a 3-2 defeat at home to Galatasaray, that 4-3 reverse away to Copenhagen and now this magnificent rollercoaster in Istanbul.

All very entertaining – but not necessarily for the Manchester United fans who would simply prefer to see their team win.

Story by: George Opoku Boateng. gopokuboateng@gmail.com. Ahotor Fm. X- Prekese GH