ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR were supposed to be the whipping boys in Group H.
But the Turkish outfit scored their first Champions League goals and recorded their first victory in the competition in a shock 2-1 defeat of Manchester United.
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Manchester United fell to a 2-1 defeat away at Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League on a miserable night in TurkeyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Demba Ba set the hosts on their way by racing clear to score the opening goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ex-West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea striker Demba Ba opened the scoring after 12 minutes in baffling fashion as United committed everyone forward for an early corner.
Edin Visca slammed in Basaksehir’s second before Anthony Martial headed in three minutes later to give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hope going into half-time.
But a flat and dreary display at both ends of the pitch meant United travelled back from Turkey with defeat.
SunSport’s Joshua Jones assesses the Red Devils players’ performances…
Dean Henderson – 6/10
Solskjaer deemed the academy graduate ‘mature’ enough to hand Henderson his European debut in place of David De Gea.
The ex-Sheffield United loanee was left horribly exposed for Ba’s opener – he was the only player within 60 yards of the Red Devils goal when the Senegal star was played in.
And Visca’s strike flew past him before he could move to make it 2-0. The stats will show he conceded two but he was not to blame with either – instead he was let down by his defenders.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
The £50million right-back really struggled to deal with Deniz Turuc as the winger caused havoc down the left early on.
Wan-Bissaka’s low cross was intercepted as the hosts launched the simplest of counter-attacks to open the scoring and then was caught upfield again when the second went in.
However, made a number of trademark tackles to somehow wrap his legs around opponents and win the ball back.
Axel Tuanzebe – 3
After his stellar performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the first group game, the youngster was brought back in again – but not for long.
He picked up an early yellow card for pulling back Ba – who wanted a different colour – and was hooked off at the break for Scott McTominay. Was he meant to have stayed back for the opener?
He will be gutted not to have taken his chance with both hands as Victor Lindelof looks on course to reclaim his spot.
Harry Maguire – 5
Roy Keane blasted United’s lack of leadership but Maguire fired back in his pre-match press conference.
But after talking the talk, he did not walk the walk as the captain watched on helplessly with United falling behind then beaten all ends up by Ba’s dummy.
Luke Shaw – 6
Was nowhere to be seen when his man Visca blasted home Istanbul’s second with acres of space.
Made amends somewhat by digging out a pinpoint cross on Martial’s head for the striker to pull one back and got forward well by putting in a couple more dangerous deliveries.
Nemanja Matic – 6
The Serb was left as the one man ‘back’ from the short corner which undid United, so when the ball was played over the top he had no chance of catching the veteran striker.
Dropped back into a centre-back position at half-time and arguably looked more comfortable there than Maguire or Tuanzebe.
Donny van de Beek – 5
Operated in a slightly more defensive role behind the attacking quartet.
But struggled to stamp his authority on the game by getting on the ball and getting it forwards so was understandably withdrawn for Paul Pogba on the hour mark.
Axel Tuanzebe will be bitterly disappointed with his 45-minute display which included a yellow cardCredit: AP:Associated Press
Juan Mata – 5
Started ahead of the likes of Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood and Daniel James.
However, was dispossessed too easily for the second goal and could not recover in time to prevent the finish.
Got into the game more in the second half but, just as he was doing so, was dragged off along with Van de Beek.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
A relatively quiet opening 55 minutes for the Portuguese before he won a controversial free-kick 25 yards out when Rafael put in a crunching tackle.
The January signing stepped up to smash in an equaliser but it was too tame and too central to cause any harm.
Felt as though he was trying too hard at times to make something happen, especially with needless flicks and Hollywood passes when chasing the game.
Marcus Rashford – 4
Huffed and puffed but could not replicate his heroics from a week ago when he scored a 17-minute hat-trick.
A frustrating evening for the England forward, who played across the front line to very little effect.
Anthony Martial – 7
Solskjaer will be delighted to have his No9 available again in the Premier League come Saturday lunchtime.
Out of nothing, the Frenchman hauled his side back into the game with an unorthodox, unconventional header – but, crucially, a header that found the bottom corner.
United’s brightest spark going forward but was pushed out from the middle to the left to cater for Edinson Cavani’s introduction.
Anthony Martial scored a header which looked as thought it could get United back into the gameCredit: Rex Features
SUBS
Scott McTominay (for Tuanzebe, HT) – 7
Made an immediate impact by shoring up the midfield, snuffing out danger and winning the ball back to break up Basaksehir attacks.
Did his best to push United forward, both literally and psychologically and, along with Martial, was United’s best player. Even ended up putting in a shift on the right wing before the end.
Paul Pogba (for Van de Beek, 61 mins) – 5
Solskjaer turned to his record signing but once again he was unable to deliver when his side needed him.
Had plenty of the touches but none of them caused any harm.
Edinson Cavani (for Mata, 61 mins) – 5
Given half an hour to try and find his first United goal as he was put up top with Martial and Rashford either side.
Got on the ball a few times early on but did not have much of a look in.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (for Wan-Bissaka, 76 mins) – 6
Brought on for his Champions League debut to replace Wan-Bissaka at right-back.
Misjudged a ball through but recovered well to win back possession and prevent Fredrik Gulbrandsen scoring a third.
Mason Greenwood (for Rashford, 76 mins) – 5
Was certainly not Rashford’s night as Solskjaer turned to the youngster for something fresh.
He summed up United’s night when he picked up the ball in the box but a heavy touch saw the ball run out for a goal kick and kill precious seconds.
Scott McTominay was a decent performer for the Red Devils after coming on at the breakCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Robin van Persie tears into the Man Utd defence at half time of Istanbul Basaksehir Champions League game
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
