Pranav Nair
Galatasaray caught a lucky break in the leadup to their opener against Manchester United
Galatasaray vs Manchester United was certainly a footballing feast for the neutrals but the Red Devils faithful have every reason to be angry about the end result.
Our hopes of qualifying for the last 16 in the UEFA Champions League now hang by a thread. We are no longer the masters of our own destiny and will need to beat Bayern Munich while hoping that Galatasaray vs Copenhagen ends in a draw.
The inability to come away with three points from Turkey despite holding onto a two goal lead twice could haunt us for a long time. But then it would appear that the players alone are not to blame for the woe that befell us that day.
If three or more defending players form a wall… all attacking players must remain at least one metre from the wall until the ball is in play.
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) November 29, 2023
GALATASARAY'S GOAL SHOULD NOT HAVE STOOD! #beINUCL #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Wj4wJjz03r
As per beIN Sports on X via The Express, Hakim Ziyech’s first goal should not have stood. The former Chelsea star swung in a freekick past Andre Onana, reducing Manchester United’s early double goal lead in the first half.
It has now been revealed that the proximity of two Galatasaray players to the United wall should have deemed the goal illegal. The rules state that if three or more defending players form a defensive wall, all the attacking players must remain at least one metre from the wall until the ball is in play. As it stood, the wall was a mere 61 cm from the Galatasaray players.
Given that the rule was not enforced adequately, Galatasaray gained an undue advantage that they made maximum use of. But then to claim that this single incident changed the tune of the game would be poor.
While the home team did get a spring in their step, United still held the aces. They appeared to have seen the match out when Scott McTominay made the score 3-1 in the second half, restoring his side’s two goal cushion.
However, Ziyech struck back soon, this time from a legal goal before Kerem Akturkoglou levelled minutes later. Though we went close to grabbing a late winner, it was not to be and the points were shared.
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Whether Ziyech’s goal was legal or not, there is just no excuse for our poor man management. By drawing attention to the technicalities of the law, we are drawing attention from several other issues that can be addressed with respect to tactics or mentality. As long as we seek excuses, the lack of accountability will continue to see us flounder.
