Regardless of the circumstances, Manchester United let a key win slip away, leaving their chances of qualifying for the Champions League precariously poised.  

In a match that was threatened with torrential rain, United goalkeeper Andre Onana had a nightmare after being hailed by a gigantic “Welcome To Hell” sign from Galatasaray fans.

The Cameroonian made two costly mistakes that United were able to recover from, as Hakim Ziyech scored twice from free kicks. 

Then United were denied a victory by a breathtaking equalizer scored by substitute Kerem Akturkoglu.

United dominated the first 18 minutes of this nail-biter, scoring twice through Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho. Scott McTominay appeared to have scored the game-winning goal with a second-half poacher’s strike. 

Erik ten Hag’s squad will be hurting themselves for letting a potential victory slip through their fingers after handling a tough setting with remarkable poise in the first half. Their last group match is against Bayern on December 12.   

Several hours before kickoff, the ground in Istanbul appeared unplayable due to the heavy rain that had pummeled the city. As a result, the match was in serious danger of being postponed.

Ten Hag made a joke about the “Manchester weather” before the game, comparing it to the two-day rainstorm that cost England’s cricket team The Ashes at the other Old Trafford this summer.

However, the dampness subsided and, astonishingly, play resumed. 

Kobbie Mainoo, a juvenile midfielder, was benched in favor of Sofyan Amrabat despite an impressive full-game debut against Everton on Sunday. Antony and Hojlund returned from injuries to replace Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, respectively. 

United had gotten back on track with wins against Luton and Everton in the league since their Champions League loss in Copenhagen, but this trip was a whole new gravy. 

No Englishman was made to feel welcome at this most tumultuous and hostile of Champions League sites, Ali Sami Yen Stadium, where the noise level pounded at the eardrums throughout the warm-up. 

As the teams emerged from the tunnel, the words “Welcome To Hell” were displayed in English on red and yellow sheets in the stand across from the tunnel. The home fans were clearly reliving the tumultuous 1993 United exit at this stadium.  

In the beginning, Fernandes gave Garnacho some food, and Hojlund nearly bundled in his crucifix as the crowd’s yells made your ears bleed. 

Not quite as dramatic as his strike against Everton, but no less significant, Garnacho scored again on 11 minutes. 

The Argentine slammed the ball into the top of the net from an angle after Hojlund’s excellent hold-up play set up Scott McTominay to advance forward. 

When the Argentine placed his fingers to his lips to celebrate scoring his first Champions League goal, he was met with a barrage of projectiles from the home crowd. 

Almost immediately, Galatasaray tried to have the Spanish referee and his video assistant rule out a handball by McTominay, but Onana made a spectacular sprawling save to keep the ball in play.

United calmly scored a second goal that stunned the crowd: Luke Shaw set up Fernandes, who raced forward and sent a rocket into the top corner. 

Antony was sensational, escaping his own box at high speed, vaulting obstacles, and taking rapid damage. 

Prior to halftime, however, the lead was narrowed when Lucas Torreira—a former Arsenal titch—was sent off for tripping over Fernandes, and Ziyech sent the resulting free-kick soaring over the damp turf, surprising Onana.  

Here we were in the thick of it, engaging in a genuine football battle. 

Before a Wilf Zaha effort was expertly saved by Harry Maguire, Ziyech, a former Chelsea player, was quickly dribbling again and struck just wide from a distance.

The crowd went into a frenzy as Mauro Icardi blasted a shot past Onana, only to find out that he was just offside. 

However, United scored again after Galatasaray had a promising start to the second half. Antony raced forward, set up Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a cross, and McTominay poked the ball in.

After a dramatic drop in volume, Ten Hag unleashed Mainoo and Martial. 

However, Onana and Ziyech were back in the thick of things again in no time. Ziyech was delivering a free-kick from the right side of the field, and Onana was flailing miserably as he let the ball go under his arm.

Substitute Kerem Akturkoglu equalized for Galatasaray nine minutes later with a shot from outside the penalty area that beat Onana in the goal. 

In the aftermath of Zaha’s missed shot on goal, Fernandes slammed a long-range effort against the post.