Manchester United continue to sink to the bottom

Manchester United are at the bottom of Group A in the Champions League following a 3-2 loss to Galatasaray at home.

They say that when you’ve hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up! Fans of Manchester United, however, couldn’t disagree more. They have seen their club go from one of the elite teams in Europe to hitting an endless series of rock bottoms. After Tuesday night’s 3-2 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray at the Old Trafford, that fall from grace doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

It has been yet another woeful start to the season for the Red Devils who had seemed to be on their way up and on the path of resurgence. However, three wins and four losses from their seven league matches so far have left them in 10^th place and it goes without saying that United need to turn things around quickly.

They were able to generate some kind of momentum with three straight victories over Burnley and Crystal Palace in the Premier League and in the EFL Cup. The assignment against Turkish side Galatasaray at home provided an opportunity for United to bounce back in the Champions League and make a major statement.

Erik Ten Hag’s side had suffered a 4-3 defeat in their opening Champions League clash against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Needing a positive result at Old Trafford against Galatasaray, United were guilty of making several mistakes which were capitalised on by the visitors. Thanks to the series of defensive errors made by the hosts, the Turkish side were able to come from behind and secure a historic 3-2 victory at the Theatre of Dreams.

United had taken the lead of the contest twice through their brilliant striker Rasmus Hojlund. However, their advantage barely lasted 10 minutes as former forward Wilfried Zaha, Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu, and Mauro Icardi helped Galatasaray come from behind on both occasions to eventually clinch the win.

It was yet another poor night in between the sticks for Andre Onana. He was guilty of giving away the ball close to the box which resulted in Casemiro making a last-ditch tackle and receiving his marching orders. Even though Icardi missed the resulting penalty from the spot, he did make amends by chipping the goalkeeper from inside the box.

United have lost their opening two Champions League group stage matches for the first time in their history. They’ve already recorded the worst start to a Premier League season ever, after conceding four defeats in their first seven matches.

Moreover, as things stand, Ten Hag’s side has already let in a staggering 18 goals in 10 games, a figure that surpasses their most abysmal defensive struggles at this stage since the bygone era of 1966-67.

The last time that United suffered such a dire start to the season was as far back as in the autumn on 1986, during the final years of Ron Atkinson’s spell. That period precedes the modern rise of Manchester United as one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

However, years of repeated failures and shortcomings are putting a serious threat to that credibility.

Obviously, United have been haunted by injuries to many of their crucial players and the ongoing standoff between Jadon Sancho and the club as well as the management of the Mason Greenwood case have harmed the club’s dressing room.
With that being said, though, Ten Hag was also allowed a level of control that few managers have received before him and despite the investment into the team, the results aren’t coming.

What seemed to be a promising project being headed by the Dutchman last season is already showing signs of unraveling, crumbling at the foundation. This has resulted in speculation that Ten Hag’s position will be in danger if he isn’t able to turn the ship around soon.

"We are fighting together, we stick together, we are behind each other," insisted Ten Hag. "Me, the directors, the team all together we will fight. This is not us. We know we have to do better and in togetherness we will come out of this situation." 

Only time will tell whether they are able to steer the ship towards its destination before it sinks once and for all.

\