How Galatasaray warmed up for our European showdown
Manchester United contest a crucial Champions League fixture in Istanbul on Wednesday, and our opponents Galatasaray prepared for the clash in impressive fashion.
The Turkish giants were also playing out their first match following the conclusion of the November international break – having lost their first Turkish Super Lig game of the season last time out, when they fell to Hatayspor.
Okan Buruk’s side produced a fine response as they secured their biggest win of the season ahead of facing the Reds.
Galatasaray overcame Alanyaspor, occupying one of the relegation spaces in the Turkish top flight, with an emphatic 4-0 home win and a host of familiar names on the scoresheet at Rams Park.
Highlights: United v Galatasaray
Watch the key moments from our Champions League clash with Galatasaray...
Mauro Icardi opened the scoring before Dries Mertens hit a double either side of the break, with Wilfried Zaha superbly rounding off the scoring with 20 minutes remaining.
United know all about the qualities of Icardi and Zaha in particular, with the pair both netting in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in October. Zaha has settled seamlessly into life in Turkey, scoring four goals in his last three domestic outings.
The win still wasn't enough for Galatasaray to move top of the Turkish Super Lig, as arch-rivals Fenerbahce are first on goal difference. Things are similarly tight in our Champions League group.
Back-to-back defeats to Bayern Munich in their latest two European games mean that Galatasaray are just one point ahead of United in the Group A standings. The Turkish side are, in turn, only behind FC Copenhagen on goal difference.
We will need at least a point to keep our hopes of qualification for the knockout stages alive, while a victory would see us leapfrog our opponents and move into second, at least before Copenhagen visit Bayern in the later kick-off.
WHAT'S HAPPENING ON TUESDAY?
Our preparations for the Turkey trip intensify on Tuesday, when details of our travelling squad will be released.
Fans will also have the chance to watch the first 15 minutes of the Reds' training session at Carrington ahead of their flight, while we'll also be showing Erik ten Hag's pre-match press conference with one of his players.
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