Manchester United’s woes continue as bizarre defending was their undoing once again in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Champions League first-timers Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday night.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side travelled to the Turkish capital on the back of impressive victories over Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig but were stunned quickly by two early goals from Demba Ba and Edin Visca, who took advantage on a defensive horror show, something Solskjaer labelled “unforgivable“.
Anthony Martial pulled one back before the break for United but a second-half comeback never happened, with a stunning stoppage-time goal-line clearance by Alexandru Epureanu denying United a point at the death.
The newcomers, Istanbul Basaksehir, were yet to register a Champions League point or a goal to their name before kick-off but put in a wonderful performance to earn a famous and deserved first win in the tournament for the Turkish champions.
Related: Champions League Roundup: Chelsea maintains perfect start; Barca and Juve win in Group G
Stats and facts from the match (Backed by Opta)
- This result ended Manchester United’s longest away winning run in all competitions in their history (10 straight wins), and was their first away defeat in 19 matches since losing in January at Liverpool in the Premier League.
- Including qualifiers, this was only Basaksehir’s second win in nine UEFA Champions League matches (D2 L5), also beating Club Brugge in qualifying for the 2017-18 competition.
- Manchester United have lost four of their last six away matches at Turkish opposition in all competitions (W2), including each of their last three.
- Istanbul striker Demba Ba (35 years, 163 days) became the second-oldest African player to score a UEFA Champions League goal, behind only Didier Drogba, who was 36 years and 259 days old when he scored his final goal in the competition in November 2014.
- Among Premier League clubs, Istanbul’s Demba Ba only has more goals in all competitions against West Brom (6) and Tottenham (5) than Man Utd (4); today was his first goal against the Red Devils since April 2013 for Chelsea.
- Istanbul’s Edin Visca was the first player to both score and assist in a single UEFA Champions League game against Manchester United since Arjen Robben for Bayern Munich in April 2014, and the first to score and assist for a Turkish side in a match in the competition since Didier Drogba for Galatasaray against Juventus in October 2013.
- With Wednesday’s match his 32nd UEFA Champions League appearance, Man Utd’s Anthony Martial has scored in back-to-back games in the competition for the first time; his strike came just 137 seconds after Istanbul had gone 2-0 ahead.
RB Leipzig 2-1 PSG: The French champions got two players sent off and lost a penalty in painful defeat
Paris Saint-Germain could not capitalise on the slip-up by Manchester United to move level on points with the group leaders as they had two men sent off and were beaten 2-1 by RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The French side were quick off the mark and scored early through Angel Di Maria, who then had a penalty saved by Peter Gulacsi.
Former PSG player Christopher Nkunku then pulled one back just before half-time for the hosts, with Emil Forsberg putting the Germans ahead from the penalty spot after 57 minutes.
Paris Saint Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off for two yellow card offences with defender Presnel Kimpembe also seeing red in stoppage time.
The result means Man Utd remain top of Group H, despite losing 2-1 at Istanbul Basaksehir, with PSG in third, three points off the top two qualification places with three games remaining.
Other Wednesday results: UEFA Champions League
- Istanbul Buyuksehir 2-1 Manchester United
- Zenit St. Petersburg 1-1 Lazio
- Barcelona 2-1 Dynamo Kiev
- Chelsea 3-0 Rennes
- Club Brugge 0-3 Borussia Dortmund
- Ferencvaros 1-4 Juventus
- RB Leipzig 2-1 Paris Saint-Germain
- Sevilla 3-2 Krasnodar
He should improve better in this group