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      Fans call ‘FIX’ as Galatasaray have goal vs Man Utd ruled out for controversial VAR after McTominay handball ignored

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      FANS believe Manchester United’s clash with Galatasaray has been rigged after the Red Devils benefitted from a tight offside call and a controversial handball decision.The Red Devils raced into a 2-0 lead in Istanbul but could have gone into half-time all square.
      Mauro Icardi was judged to be offside by the highest of margins
      Scott McTominay was not penalised after the ball struck his arm
      Hakim Ziyech pulled one back and Mauro Icardi then fired past Andre Onana – only to be called offside.
      The lino flagged the striker offside and VAR backed up his decision in a matter of seconds – seemingly without drawing the lines.
      Even the semi-automated system sparked controversy as Harry Maguire appeared to play Icardi onside with the top of his arm.
      A fan reacted saying: “Never offside. Such a disgrace.”
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      Another remarked: “Where were the lines? He looks on.”
      And a third wrote: “Robbery.”
      Galatasaray also could have had a penalty but Scott McTominay was judged not to have committed a handball despite the ball striking his arm in the penalty box.
      Fans were outraged by the decision – particularly as it came less than 24 hours after Newcastle defender Tino Livramento was punished for a lesser offence.
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      The right-back was penalised for handball despite the ball coming off his thigh first before hitting his arm with the faintest of touches.
      Champions League referees have been quick to point to the spot whenever a ball strikes a players hand in the area – as United found out to their advantage and their detriment in their previous European clash against Copenhagen.
      United have conceded a penalty in their four previous Champions League games, yet some fans feel the referee letting them off means the game is a fix.
      One said: “Think about it… Uefa will lose a lot of profit if United don’t make it through, so they will do as much as they can to make them qualify.
      “RIGGED 🥴🥴🥴”
      Another added: “This is a clear penalty, VAR rigging the match for Manchester United again smh💔🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️”
      A third said: “To be honest that was a clear penalty, fix is def in tbh.” More

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      Robbie Savage’s praise of Man Utd star instantly backfires in awkward moment live on TNT Sports against Galatasaray

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      ROBBIE SAVAGE’S praise for Bruno Fernandes instantly backfired as the Manchester United captain gifted Galatasaray a goal.Fernandes had doubled his side’s lead in Turkey after Alejandro Garnacho’s opener.
      Bruno Fernandes’ foul led to a Galatasaray goal
      The host’s were on the break when Fernandes sprinted back and gave away a foul.
      He was initially praised by TNT Sports commentator Savage for tracking back.
      Savage said: “Look at Fernandes, just look at the captain. Look at that recovery run! Recovery runs, look at him now, he’s still going.”
      The former player-turned pundit then let out a laugh and said “that’s unlucky” as Fernandes conceded a foul.
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      And the resulting free-kick led to ex-Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech curling home to pull one back and leave egg on Savage’s face.
      One fan said: “Robbie Savage getting so excited by Bruno tracking back and ends up committing a foul which leads to a goal.”
      Another added: “Robbie Savage wetting himself over Bruno tracking back, just for him to give away the free they concede from.”
      One joked: “Hilarious for Robbie Savage to be gagging over Bruno Fernandes just before he gave away a silly foul and also left a gap in the wall for Galatasaray’s goal.”
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      Another posted: “Funny Robbie Savage waxing lyrical about Fernandes led to their goal.”
      Alejandro Garnacho got United off to a flyer by opening the score on 11 minutes with Fernandes soon doubling the lead.
      But former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech pulled one back on the half hour mark with a sublime curling free kick.
      Scott McTominay made it 3-1 on 55 minutes but another Ziyech goal again tightened the score leading to a nervy last half hour.
      And the pressure proved to much for United as Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu made it 3-3 with the game ending in a six-goal thriller.

      Hakim Ziyech curled the free kick homeCredit: Reuters
      The ex-Chelsea star pulled one backCredit: Reuters More

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      Why are Man Utd wearing a changed kit against Galatasaray in the Champions League?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED face Galatasaray in a must-win Champions League Group A match – and there has been a change in kit.The Red Devils are in need of a win to keep their European hopes alive this season.
      Manchester United are currently leadingCredit: Reuters
      Ant they’ll be hoping their kit change will be a good omen in this mouthwatering encounter.
      But why have they changed their kit?
      Why are Man Utd wearing a changed kit?
      United typically pair their white away strip with white shorts but wanted to avoid a potential clash with Galatasaray.
      The Turkish giants traditionally wear white shorts alongside their red and orange mixed shirts.
      Erik ten Hag’s side were forced to change their usual strip when Galatasaray visited Old Trafford in September.
      United swapped their white shorts for black on that occasion as the Turks wore an all-white kit.
      What do Man Utd need to do to qualify for last-16 of the Champions League?
      The Red Devils can only qualify for the last-16 of the Champions League by finishing second in Group A.
      That is due to Bayern Munich having already confirmed their title as group winners as the German giants have 12 points after winning all four of their games.
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      If Man Utd lose against Galatasaray
      Should United lose against Galatasaray on Matchday 5 they will be OUT of the Champions League as the Turkish giants go four points ahead with only three left to play for.
      If Man Utd win against Galatasaray
      If Erik ten Hag’s men beat Galatasaray on their own turf, they would go up to six points and would qualify for the last-16 with a win against Bayern in their final game unless Copenhagen overcome the Germans and Galatasaray in their final two matches.
      Should United claim all three points in Istanbul but lose to the Germans in their final game, they would need Bayern to win against the Danes and there not to be a winner in Copenhagen vs Galatasaray.
      If Man Utd draw with Galatasaray
      A draw in Istanbul and Bayern beating Copenhagen would mean a win over Thomas Tuchel’s side at Old Trafford would result in the Red Devils qualifying for the last-16 if Galatasaray fail to win against Copenhagen.
      Should the Danes draw in Munich and the Red Devils triumph over Bayern in their final Group A game, that would see them progress if Copenhagen vs Galatasaray ends in a draw.
      If the Turkish side beat the Danes in Gameweek 6 after drawing with Man Utd, they will go through to the knockout stages.
      If Man Utd draw in Istanbul and then beat Bayern and Copenhagen win their final group stage game after losing their penultimate Group A match, they would be both on seven points, but Ten Hag’s side would go through with a better head-to-head record as they have scored more away goals in the matches between the two. More

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      Man Utd given frightening reception at Galatasaray as fans once again display huge ‘Welcome To Hell’ sign

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      MANCHESTER UNITED were given a frightening reception at Galatasaray as fans displayed a huge “Welcome To Hell” sign. The Turkish giants are notorious for their hostile treatment of visitors to RAMS Park.
      Galatasaray fans hold up a ‘Welcome To Hell’ signCredit: PA
      And United’s Champions League trip was no different as the welcome to hell warning lit up in Galatasaray colours.
      The Turk side infamously offered a similar welcome when the Red Devils visited in 1993.
      Galatasaray had shown they were no pushovers with a 3-3 first-leg draw at Old Trafford a fortnight earlier and an ominous message from manager Reiner Hollmann.
      Vowing “they’ll be waiting for you,” for the return leg was a huge understatement.
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      The “Welcome to Hell” banners at Istanbul airport were more accurate.
      United’s coach was pelted with missiles en route to their plush hotel and even the walk to reception was menacing.
      Once there, a young bell boy drew a finger across his throat. United were not short of battle-hardened warriors, either.
      Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Paul Ince, Eric Cantona and Peter Schmeichel were all in the side.
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      This is how Galatasaray fans welcomed United players and officials to Istanbul in 1993Credit: PA
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      But nothing they had faced before came close to the Ali Sami Yen Stadium.
      The match itself was a drab 0-0, which KO’d United on away goals.
      Erik ten Hag’s side needed a win in Turkey to guarantee qualification into the knockout stages.
      And Alejandro Garnacho got United off to a flyer by opening the score on 11 minutes with Bruno Fernandes soon doubling the lead.
      But former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech pulled one back on the half hour mark with a sublime curling free kick.
      Scott McTominay made it 3-1 on 55 minutes but another Ziyech goal again tightened the score leading to a nervy last half hour.
      And the pressure proved to much for United as Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu made it 3-3 with the game ending in a six-goal thriller.
      Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring in TurkeyCredit: Rex More

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      Man Utd make bold kit change not seen since 1957 as Erik ten Hag’s side create history against Galatasaray

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are wearing red shorts with a white shirt for the first time in their history against Galatasaray.It is the first time the Red Devils have worn red shorts since 1957.
      Manchester United wore red shorts with their white shirtsCredit: Rex
      It is the first time they have ever worn the combinationCredit: Reuters
      United have not worn red shorts since 1957Credit: AFP
      United typically pair their white away strip with white shorts but wanted to avoid a potential clash with Galatasaray.
      The Turkish giants traditionally wear white shorts alongside their red and orange mixed shirts.
      Erik ten Hag’s side were forced to change their usual strip when Galatasaray visited Old Trafford in September.
      United swapped their white shorts for black on that occasion as the Turks wore an all-white kit.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Earlier in the day, the match looked at risk of being postponed as torrential rain threatened to waterlog the pitch.
      However the playing surface passed a pre-match check and the players did not have any problems once play got underway.
      Earlier in the day, Man Utd’s U19s were beaten by Galatasaray in a deluge.
      United are looking for a victory which would almost certainly leave their fate in their own hands when they host Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in two weeks.
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      Erik ten Hag’s men went into this clash on three points – a point behind both Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen.
      Should they lose, they will be out and should they draw, they will need to rely on other results in the final round of games. More

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      Fans demand Galatasaray vs Man Utd is called off as ‘ridiculous’ clip of U19s trying to play on soaked pitch goes viral

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans slammed the condition of the pitch as Galatasary Under-19s took on the Red Devils youth side.The two teams met in the Uefa Youth League prior to the two senior sides clashing in the Champions League.
      Torrential rain made the pitch almost unplayableCredit: Getty
      The ball became stuck in the rain-soaked grassCredit: Getty
      Passing and dribbling was almost impossibleCredit: Getty
      Fans slammed the unsafe playing surface and called for Galatasaray vs Manchester United to be abandonedCredit: Getty
      But the match descended into chaos as the ball became stuck in the waterlogged pitch.
      Players found passing difficult and dribbling was impossible as the rain-soaked surface threatened to bring play to a halt.
      Fans found the situation “ridiculous” and, even though the U-19s match not taking place on the same pitch, were critical the Champions League tie had not been abandoned.
      One fan said: “They playing water polo out there.”
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      Another added: “First and foremost it’s dangerous and risks the players safety.
      “Kick-off needs to at the very least be delayed so they can drain as much water as possible and if that’s not possible the match needs to be cancelled.”
      A third wrote: “This is ridiculous this isn’t even football.😭”
      And another commented: “They supposed to abandoned that game, so ridiculous 💔”
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      A pitch inspection was called at Galatasaray’s RAMS Park after heavy rain flooded the streets of Istanbul.
      Uefa insisted the match was okay to go ahead as scheduled despite the large patches of standing water in front of the benches.
      The Red Devils must win this evening in order to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
      They will not progress to the knockout stages if they lose.
      Erik ten Hag’s side go into the vital game in good form, having won their last three Premier League games without conceding a goal. More

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      Man Utd fans moan ‘it seems Ten Hag doesn’t want Champions League anymore’ after seeing lineup to face Galatasaray

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans fumed after wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo was dropped against Galatasaray. The 18-year-old was given his senior debut in United’s 3-0 win at Everton and was named man of the match.
      Kobbie Mainoo was dropped against GalatasarayCredit: Getty
      And despite travelling with the squad to Turkey, the midfielder was replaced by Sofyan Amrabat which caused anger amongst fans.
      One said: “No Kobbie mainoo in the starting lineup???”
      Another added: “We definitely not winning seems Erik Ten Hag doesn’t wanna play champions league no more.”
      One raged: “Very surprised not to see Kobbie Mainoo on the starting lineup after his performance the other day.”
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      Another slammed: “Kobie Mainoo on the f***ing bench.”
      There was no certainty the match would go ahead due to torrential rain in Turkey.
      Uefa checked the pitch before kick off but deemed that it was playable despite the horror weather.
      And with such difficult playing conditions, some concluded that was the reason Mainoo was benched.
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      One said: “I would like to think Kobbie Mainoo drops to the bench to prevent the risk of his injury flaring back up after just one start.
      “That pitch is a minefield for injuries. I’d expect him to be back in for the trip to Newcastle.”
      Another argued: “This is not a pitch for Mainoo to play on. Sensible decision.”
      One claimed: “Reckon if the pitch wasn’t butchered then maybe Mainoo would’ve started.
      “This line-up seems like a reaction to the conditions and so is well equipped for direct football.” More

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      What happens if Man Utd’s Champions League match cannot be finished?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED face a must-win Champions League encounter against Galatasaray – but there is a chance that the match will need to be replayed.The Red Devils are currently bottom of the group and nothing less than three points would be enough to keep their last-16 hopes alive.
      Manchester United are bottom of their Champions League groupCredit: Getty
      The sides are scheduled to play at Rams Park in IstanbulCredit: Getty
      But Istanbul has been hit with torrential rain and wind which has caused fears the match could get called off mid-way.
      And SunSport can clear up what would happen if this uncommon situation occurs.
      What happens if Man Utd’s match cannot be finished?
      UEFA regulations state that in the event of a match abandonment, “the full or remaining match time” should be played “on the next day”.
      That means United staying in Istanbul overnight and returning to the Ali Sami Yen Stadium to play either the whole game or the remaining minutes tomorrow.
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      That last happened in the Champions League was in December 2020, when PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir players BOTH walked off the pitch after an alleged racist remark by the fourth official.
      The remaining 67 minutes of the game were then played out the next day – although both “matches” were played behind closed doors because of pandemic restrictions.
      Only if the pitch was deemed unplayable again tomorrow would United be given the green light to return home, with Uefa then fixing a new date for the match.
      But one complication is that the group stage must be completed by December 13.
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      It means that if the game cannot be played, or completed, United would probably have to return to Turkey next week to get it completed before the scheduled final group match against Bayern Munich.
      That, though, would mean Wednesday’s scheduled Prem home game against Chelsea having to be postponed, presumably until next year.
      If the game IS played tomorrow, though, United would be likely to ask the Prem to postpone Saturday evening’s game at Newcastle, citing a lack of adequate preparation time.
      Has this happened before?
      Galatasaray have been in this predicament before as they had to play a restarted match against Juventus in 2013.
      And the Turkish outfit prevailed as Wesley Sneijder’s late winner in snowy Istanbul sent Galatasaray into the last-16.
      The fixture between the two European giants had to initially be abandoned after a snow storm caused the pitch to become unplayable.
      It was a goalless draw in the first match.
      Galatasaray won a snowy contest against JuventusCredit: AFP More