DIMITAR BERBATOV has issued a stark warning to Manchester United ahead of their crunch Champions League clash with Galatasaray.
The Red Devils face the Turkish champions in Istanbul this evening with their hopes of reaching the last 16 hanging by a thread.
Erik ten Hag’s troops are ROCK BOTTOM of Group A with just three points to their name after four matches, although they are just a solitary point behind second and third-placed FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Defeat at the notoriously hostile Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi stadium will end United’s slim hopes of reaching the knockout stages and leave them battling for a Europa League place.
And former Red Devil Berbatov insists his old side’s predicament is all of their own doing.
He told Betfair: “The chances are still there for United to qualify – they can do it.
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“It depends on the other games as well. It’s going to be tough for sure because United have put themselves in that position.
“Now, they need to get out of this position and this goes by taking points from Galatasaray, away, which is not an easy thing to do and Bayern Munich, it’s Bayern Munich. So, it’s very difficult.
”United need to get a good result at Galatasaray.”
Bulgarian Berbatov is adamant Ten Hag’s hot and cold charges need to put the hostile atmosphere they’ll experience to the back of their minds as soon as they step out on the pitch.
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He said: “With United’s current form, the chances are there for them.
“Every game is different, especially when you go to Galatasaray – they have good players and crazy fans.
“But forget that when you step on the pitch, try to concentrate and know you have good players, hungry players coming into the team full of confidence and try to mix it with experience.
“Try to attack and score goals and don’t make f***ing stupid mistakes.
”I remember playing against Besiktas for Spurs at the old Inonu Stadium – we won 2-0 – but Robbie Keane was two or three metres from me, I was screaming loudly to try to make him hear me, and he couldn’t hear.
”The stadium was like an earthquake. They were passionate and supported their team.
“Galatasaray get even more passionate when a big team like United come to their ground, so that’s why I’m expecting a crazy atmosphere.”
Ten Hag knows his troops will walk into a cauldron this evening but is confident they’ll be able to handle the fiery atmosphere and get a result.
The Dutchman said: “We know we can [win away in Europe] and we are confident.
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“The last games away from home in the leaue were also very hostile environments.
“We played very well. We were very clam and composed.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
