Christian Eriksen painted a concerning picture for Manchester United fans after the club’s sixth defeat of the season at home to Galatasaray on Tuesday night.
After twice taking the lead only to be pegged back on either side of half-time, first by former United misfit Wilfried Zaha and then courtesy of an equaliser from Kerem Akturkoglu, Erik ten Hag’s side were undone by Mauro Icardi’s 81st-minute winner.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Inter striker had missed a penalty just three minutes earlier, dragging his kick wide after Andre Onana’s second blunder in as many Champions League games. Casemiro scythed down Dries Mertens in a desperate and failed bid to spare Onana’s blushes, earning his second yellow card of the night and the third dismissal of his United career.
With the match delicately poised at 1-1, Ten Hag summoned Eriksen off the bench. Initially, the Dane helped United grab a stranglehold of proceedings, teeing up Marcus Rashford for an excellent chance on the break before Hojlund nabbed his second of the night in the 67th minute.
Yet, Eriksen, like the rest of his colleagues, couldn’t contain Galatasaray’s spirited fight back. Reflecting on a worrisome evening, Eriksen told TNT Sports: “It’s a big disappointment. It was very quiet in the dressing room. I think we had some good spells in game.
“No, I don’t think it’s about confidence. It’s awareness and sharpness and wrong decisions at wrong times. A lot [needs to be done]. It’s the details. If we don’t make mistakes, we don’t concede like we do.
“Luckily it’s only the start of the competition and we know there are a lot of games to play.”
United sit bottom of Group A after two defeats from as many European games, following on from a 4-3 reverse against Bayern Munich a fortnight ago.
Bayern overcame a scare against FC Copenhagen to win 2-1 on Tuesday and top the group at this early stage of proceedings. Galatasaray are second on four points while Copenhagen boast one – which is still one more than United.
Ten Hag’s team return to action against Brentford – a side that dismantled them 4-0 last season – on Saturday before the October international break. United‘s search for a maiden European point of the season will continue against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday 24 October.
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