SAN FRANCISCO, November 05, (THEWILL) –Â Manchester United saw their 18-match unbeaten away streak come to a abrupt end as they lost 2-1 to Istanbul Basaksehir in a UEFA Champions League Group H tie on Wednesday.
Where the coach expected a response to Sunday’s Premier League defeat at home to Arsenal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer instead watched in consternation as his side fell behind to a Demba Ba goal in Istanbul after the veteran striker was allowed the freedom of the United half to run forward and score.
Though, United started strongly, they were suddenly behind when a long Edin Visca clearance allowed Ba to trot unchallenged into the Red Devils’ half and slot past keeper Dean Henderson, who was making his Champions League debut in place of David De Gea.
As an under-pressure United team went in search of an equaliser, the hosts pounced on a chance to make it 2-0 five minutes from the break. Turkish right winger Deniz Turuc robbed United winger Juan Mata of possession, drilled the ball across the box and Ba let it run into space for Visca to blast past Henderson.
This time, United’s response was swift. Left back Luke Shaw’s cross picked out French striker Anthony Martial who steered a header beyond the reach of Basaksehir goalie Fehmi Mert Gunok with United’s first effort on target.
Then, in the 56th minute, Bruno Fernandes tested Gunok with a free-kick but the keeper was well aware of the danger and got enough dive to palm it out. Still, United laboured to break down the Basaksehir back line. Solskjaer introduced Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani and French midfielder Paul Pogba from the bench to add more bite to the attack.
With the score still unchanged in the 76th minute, Mason Greenwood was also introduced. Yet, none were able to breach the Turkish champions. And that was how it ended, thanks largely to Moldovan centre back Alexandru Epureanu hooking a loose ball off the line in injury time.
This result has reignited Basaksehir’s chances of progressing from the group, although some of that might depend on the result from the other match of the group between French champions Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig which will be played later on Wednesday.
For Man U, this was not the result they would have wanted especially after such impressive showing in the match against PSG, which they won away, and the 5-0 drubbing of Leipzig at home. Hopefully, they will regroup and fare better in subsequent European games. However, that away unbeaten run is well and truly gone.
Basaksehir are next in action against Genclerbirligi at home in the Super Lig on Sunday while Man U travel to face Everton in the English Premier League on Saturday before the international break.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
