THERE have been some low moments at Old Trafford in the 10 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.Tuesday night felt like the nadir, Manchester United have lost control on the pitch and off it.
Manchester United were embarrassed on and off the pitch on TuesdayCredit: Getty
Galatasaray fans invaded the home end at Old Trafford after their win over Ma UtdCredit: Reuters
Scenes after the final whistle — of thousands of Galatasaray supporters in pockets around the stadium, outside of the official away end — were shocking.
It was negligent by the club, a risk to safety for the home fans.
Those in the Galatasaray section of the directors’ box were even seen taunting United followers as they left at the end.
One can be seen making an obscene gesture.
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United were humiliated and embarrassed inside their own ground.
The club say they are launching an inquiry into how it all happened.
They claim measures were in place to avoid this happening by not selling any tickets to a Turkish address.
But they accept that tickets were snapped up through “official channels” and there will have been touting involved.
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This was not just the odd group here and there, it was on a large and unacceptable scale.
The tearing down of the East Stand banner — which features a quote from legendary Red Devils boss Sir Matt Busby — could have been incendiary had any United fans wanted to wait around afterwards.
Supporters took to social media to voice their horror at the complete and utter breakdown of organisation.
According to one, stewards had been told not to engage with away fans in the home sections for fear of a riot.
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It was a scene that summed up the malaise currently enveloping the club.
The 3-2 Champions League loss to Galatasaray was United’s fifth defeat in seven games.
If there had been any question of negligence off the pitch, on the pitch it was clear to see.
Twice the Red Devils let the lead slip to a team who had not won an away game in this competition, apart from a qualifier, for a decade.
And manager Erik ten Hag was left to trot out the same old, same old.
He said: “Together with my squad, I am responsible for this team, the performance, the result — and together with my squad, we don’t get the results.
“We have to do better. But I have seen a team with great spirit and also a team that was backed by a crowd from the start to the end. We are very disappointed.”
That could have been last Saturday as well after their dismal 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
There was a time last season even in victory that tough taskmaster Ten Hag demanded more from his team.
Now in defeat the Dutchman is trying to convince us of positives, of things going in the right direction, of good passages of play. But this is worrying.
Ten Hag remains safe in his position as boss, as he should be. Last season was an excellent first one in charge.
There have been plenty of mitigating factors — not least the injuries that have decimated his back four with Aaron Wan- Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw major misses.
He has had to cope with the Mason Greenwood situation.
Antony has missed games to domestic abuse allegations.
And he has a sulky prima donna in Jadon Sancho in exile at Carrington, having effectively called the boss a liar for questioning his commitment in training.
There is no point ripping it all up and starting all over again, again.
Too much has been invested in Ten Hag, not least approaching £400million on players.
He was given control, with the club acceding to his every whim — including even rebuilding part of the infrastructure in the South Stand to accommodate a new players’ lounge.
Hard-working Ten Hag’s attention to detail is huge.
Ahead of last season’s Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle he went as far as to insist the players arrived at Wembley in training kit rather than suits because it would have affected his timetable for the day.
But his reign as boss now has unfortunate echoes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer where promising starts gave way to shocking collapses.
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When things unravel at United they unravel quickly — much like that banner in the East Stand.
At Old Trafford it never rains but it pours, as those below the leaking roof will testify.
Man Utd are showing very worrying signs after losing five out of seven gamesCredit: EPA
Man Utd gave away a lead twice before losing to GalatasarayCredit: EPA
Galatasaray had never won in England before beating Man UtdCredit: Getty More
