How Manchester United can leave the Champions League group after a draw with Galatasaray

Manchester United need a win over Bayern Munich to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.

A dramatic 3-3 draw with Galatasaray on Wednesday left United bottom of Group A with a game to spare and would have been eliminated had Copenhagen beaten Bayern later on Wednesday.

Regardless, Copenhagen secured a potentially decisive point with a 0-0 draw with group leaders Bayern, returning the Danes to second place ahead of Galatasaray.

United are fourth in the group with four points, one behind Copenhagen and Galatasaray, and will stage a three-way battle for second place on December 12.

Related article

George Simms

Mason Greenwood’s Manchester United plan is working perfectly – how depressing

read more

Ultimately, however, it is no longer in United’s hands. The winner of the Galatasaray match in Copenhagen will advance to the 1/8 finals of the Champions League. If this game ends in a draw, United will have to beat Bayern Munich to progress, a tall order given Bayern are unbeaten in Group A.

The score is no longer the deciding factor in United’s attempts to reach the play-offs, but it could determine whether they finish third after Christmas and secure a Europa League place.

Erik ten Hag’s side will need a higher goal difference than Copenhagen if they are to finish on level terms – a result that will only be possible if United draw with Bayern and Copenhagen lose to Galatasaray ” – with the same result of personal meetings.

United won 1-0 at home to Copenhagen before losing 3-4 in Denmark. The total score is 4:4, which increases the overall goal difference.

If United reach level with Galatasaray (which again is only possible if United draw with Bayern and Copenhagen and then beat Galatasaray), they will be below the Turkish team after defeats at Old Trafford and a draw in Istanbul.

Briefly: what Manchester United needs

If Manchester United lose or draw at home to Bayern on December 12, they are outside Champions League.

If Manchester United beat Bayern:

• They outside if Galatasaray or Copenhagen win.
• They Through if Galatasaray and Copenhagen draw.

Ten Hag: It’s my fault.

Remarkably, United have scored three goals in every away game this season in the Champions League, but only picked up one point away from home.

United lost 4-3 to Bayern Munich and Copenhagen, while Ten Hega’s draw with Galatasaray after throwing away a 3-1 lead ruined what might have been.

“We won and then we lost,” Ten Had told TNT Sports. “We should have scored three points, that’s clear. We’ve done this in other games as well. I am happy with our performance, but at the same time I have to criticize the team because the defense is not good enough. We’re 3-1 up and we can’t afford to make mistakes because that’s what matters.

Champions League scoring rules

According to UEFA rules:

If two or more teams are tied on points at the end of group play, the following criteria will be used to determine their ranking, in the order listed:

1. higher points in group games between respective teams;
2. better goal difference compared to group games between the respective teams;
3. higher number of goals scored in group games between the respective teams;
4. If teams are still tied after applying criteria a) to c), criteria a) to c) will only be reapplied to the matches between the remaining teams to determine their final ranking. If this procedure does not result in a decision, criteria e) to k) are applied in the order in which two or more teams remain tied;
5. excellent goal difference in all group games;
6. more goals scored in all group games;
7. more away goals scored in all group games;
8. more wins in all group games;
9. more away wins in all group games;
10. lower overall disciplinary score based only on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in all group matches (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, sending off for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
11. higher club coefficient

Related article

football

Sports analysis

Manchester United became the laughing stock of Europe, entertaining everyone except their own fans.

read more

“Every goal has its own story. Whether it’s in transition and we don’t block the middle or the second goal, which is a free kick, and the third goal, we’re organized but we have the majority. This can’t happen. We must learn from this.

“I am very happy because you can see the style of this team: proactive, dynamic and courageous. I’m happy with the game because we created a lot of chances, but at the same time we have to win this game.”

Asked who was responsible for throwing away games, he added: “It’s always on me. I am responsible for this. We know we are in a project. We are making improvements and this is very encouraging. We are on the right track and I know we will be successful in the long term, but if you want to stay in the Champions League you need to win these games.”