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Galatasaray vs Man United - Champions League: Live score, team news and updates as storms throw tonight's clash into doubt, with Erik ten Hag's side needing a win to avoid being dumped out of the competition

9 months ago 50

By Ed Carruthers For Mailonline

Published: 16:00 GMT, 29 November 2023 | Updated: 16:52 GMT, 29 November 2023

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Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Galatasaray host Manchester United in a crunch clash in the Champions League. 

Hojlund returns for United

Rasmus Hojlund suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury during their 1-0 win against Luton before the international break.

But it seems he is fit enough to start tonight and Erik ten Hag will be hoping the Danish striker will be able to get on the score sheet as he did during Man United's most previous outing against Galatasaray.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag has made four changes following their win against Everton on Sunday, with Sofyan Amrabat, Victor Lindelof and Antony also coming back into their starting line up.

Ten Hag and his team walk the pitch

It looks like the rain has subsided in the last 20 minutes, with Man United's players and manager stepping out onto the field to check out the conditions.

Kick-off for tonight's game is at 5.45pm UK time.

I wonder what Ten Hag is saying to his team here...

 Nick Potts/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

 Photo by Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock (14236421d) ISTANBUL - Antony of Manchester United FC during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Galatasaray SK and Manchester United FC at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi Stadium on November 29 in Istanbul, Turkey. Galatasaray SK v Manchester United FC, UEFA Champions League 2023/24 - 29 Nov 2023

Tonight's game...

Man United have arrived at the RAMS Stadium in Istanbul and look in good spirits.

Erik ten Hag and his side have just been spotted walking around the pitch checking out the conditions.

United come into this match after they suffered a 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen in their most recent Champions League outing.

With all of Galatasaray, Copenhagen and Man United still able to qualify from Group A, a win tonight for either side will be pivotal in helping them qualify for the last 16.

Galatasaray have a slight advantage over United, leading them by a point in the group, and come into this match off the back of a win against Alanyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig.

In their last five games they've gone 3-2 in wins and lossess, suffering two defeats to Hatayspor and Bayern Munich.

Okan Buruk's men also notably turned Man United over in a huge victory at Old Trafford last month, with Wilfried Zaha, Kerem Akturkoglu both scoring before Mauro Icardi netted the winner in the 81st minute.

As for Ten Hag's side, they claimed a huge 3-0 victory against Everton this weekend, with Alejandro Garnacho scoring an absolutely stunning over head kick to silence the Toffees fans protesting their recent 10-point deduction.

But they'll be up against a tough Galatasaray side, torrential weather and a partisan crowd, who will all make things very difficult for United tonight...

United U19s lose to Galatasaray in the pouring rain!

Earlier this afternoon, Man United's U19s side were beaten by Galatasaray in torrential weather conditions.

The Red Devils were beaten 1-0, with biblical showers sweeoping across Istanbul ahead of the senior side's clash tonight.

Doubts have been raised over whether the match will go ahead with the below images showing the extent of the storms.

Promising signs though

Looks like the grounds staff have been doing a pretty good job to remove the surface water on the pitch.

Plus the Champions League banner has been unfurled on the centre circle...

A very saturated pitch...

But the pitch wasn't looking the best earlier this afternoon...

But the weather is not stopping United...

According to Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst, Erik ten Hag's side are proceeding as plans, despite the torrential rain and have left their hotel and are on the way to the ground.

Storms putting tonight's game in some doubt!

Storms have raged through Istanbul over the last few days and are expected to continue right through to kick-off.

It means, should the game go ahead at the RAMS Park, Erik ten Hag's side will have to deal with a fearsome home atmosphere as well as a saturated pitch.

UEFA officials are inspecting the pitch and, at present, are satisfied the game, set to kick off at 5.45pm, will go ahead.

Pictures have been posted online showing puddles seeming to appear on the pitch.

Positive signs have emerged though, with the Champions League banner being dragged out onto the centre circle just over two hours before kick-off.

Mail Sport's Adam Shergold has the latest below...

Good afternoon!

Welcome to Mail Sport's live coverage of Manchester United's Champions League clash against Galatasaray!

Erik ten Hag's side arrived in Istanbul on Tuesday, ready for the crunch match.

The Red Devils must win tonight to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the competition alive, with United currently bottom of Grounp A, nine points behind Bayern Munich who sit top of the group.

United were beaten 3-2 last time these two teams met in the competition, with Mauro Icardi scoring a late winner to steal three points at Old Trafford.

We'll have all the latest updates, news and commentary from the game, but first let's quickly take a look at the conditions which are throwing tonight's game into some doubt...

 Raphael Varane, Joe Hugill, Hannibal Mejbri, Daniel Gore, Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Sofyan Amrabat check in ahead of their flight to Istanbul at Manchester Airport on November 28, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Key Updates

  • Hojlund returns for United

  • A very saturated pitch...

  • But the weather is not stopping United...

  • Storms putting tonight's game in some doubt!

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