Ole Gunnar Solskjær will be hoping for a much changed performance from his side tonight compared to 2 weeks ago, where Istanbul were gifted two easy goals in a humiliating defeat for Manchester United.
A win today for Man Utd would see them sitting on 9 points after 4 games and remaining top of Group H, while an Istanbul victory would see them jumping to 6 points and looking to push on and progress into the next round of the Champions League.
Whatever way this game goes it will make an interesting final 2 fixtures in Group H with no team being ruled out of progressing as of yet.
Ellis Stevens will be taking you through the action as it happens.
STARTING LINEUPS
Here’s how the teams lineup.
Manchester United lineup with what looks to be an extremely attacking side, which will surely increase the confidence of this Istanbul side that were so good on the counter the last time these sides faced each other.
Out come the players here as they ready to kick off at Old Trafford.
KICK OFF – Istanbul get us kicked off here in the 4th gameweek of this seasons Champions League.
2′
Massive chance for Man Utd already, as Aaron Wan-Bissaka passes into Bruno Fernandes who lays off an excellent flick into Marcus Rashford’s stride. Rashford then shows some great skill to take on three or four Istanbul defenders before his shot was excellently saved.
5′
Anthony Martial this time who looks to drive into the Istanbul box, and he does so with some skill, twisting and turning the defenders before his eventual cut-back is intercepted.
Better by Man Utd already tonight compared to their performance last time out.
7′
First corner of the night for Man Utd.
7′ Manchester United 1-0 Istanbul Basaksehir – FERNANDES
WHAT A STRIKE FROM MAN UNITED’S PORTUGESE MAGNIFICO.
Alex Telles whips the corner in, and it makes its way to the edge of the area where Fernandes meets it and absolutely smashes it into the top corner of Mert Gunok’s net.
Istanbul’s gameplan could be out of the window already as they are going to have to push out of their deep block for a goal now and United will surely fancy themselves against that.
11′
Martial drives into the box again and chips the ball into the penalty area, but its just too high for the onrushing Edinson Cavani.
12′ Manchester United 2-0 Istanbul Basaksehir – RASHFORD
Another fantastic goal for Man Utd after a spell of intricate passing around the edge of the area before Fernandes slips in Rashford who tucks it underneath the goalkeeper.
Fantastic start for the Red Devils.
Manchester United 1-0 Istanbul Basaksehir – NO GOAL
Rashford’s goal ruled out for offside, unfortunate for United as they deserved the goal after that piece of play. Surely this will just increase their confidence though.
Shaping up to be a long night for Istanbul.
16′
Istanbul may still have confidence that they can get a result here, if they can shut the doors on United then they are getting some joy on the counter again so far tonight.
I’m sure there are plenty more goals in store with the way this game is coming along.
17′
Istanbul almost did get some joy through Edin Visca, but he stretches to reach the ball and his shot flies high and wide.
Wasted chance for Istanbul, they need to score chances like those if they want a result tonight.
19′ Manchester United 2-0 Istanbul Basaksehir – FERNANDES
Absolute howler from Gunok gifts Manchester United their second. As the keeper jumped to claim the cross he seemed to be off-put by Cavani’s jump and he spills it straight to Fernandes who taps in with ease.
25′
Istanbul looking to strike back after finding themselves two behind in just 25 minutes.
But Man Utd’s defence is holding firm, with Harry Maguire making one or two important blocks already.
Just to show the impact Fernandes has had on this Man Utd team, his two goals today mean he has scored 21 goals in just 35 games.
28′
Visca looks to match Fernandes’ screamer with one of his own, striking his free-kick with real venom from what must have been 35 yards out.
But as like most free-kicks from that distance, the power needed behind the strike leads to the ball sailing over David De Gea’s goal.
31′
Istanbul have definitely improved in the 10 or so minutes since the goal, with them not sitting quite as deep as they start looking for their way back into this game.
This is where the amount of attacking players in this Man Utd side could come in handy for Istanbul with there being multiple openings, but it could come to haunt them as well if they allow Man Utd to break.
33′ PENALTY TO MANCHESTER UNITED
Victor Lindelof sends a great ball from just outside his own box deep into the Istanbul half which Rashford is able to meet. Boli Bolingoli then shoves him over in the box and gives the penalty away.
VAR might have something to say about this, they are looking for a Rashford offside.
In the meantime, it looks as if Fernandes has passed on the chance to get his hattrick and given it to Rashford. Great act of selflessness by the portugese man.
The penalty is confirmed and Rashford steps up.
36′ Manchester United 3-0 Istanbul Basaksehir – RASHFORD
Absolute coolness personified by United’s number 10 as he jogs up to the ball and just passes it into the bottom right, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Man Utd showing that counter-attacking threat that they have and Istanbul now find themselves three behind with 10 minutes to go until the break.
39′
Big chance for Istanbul and Demba Ba to get one back before the break as he meets the free-kick but heads wide.
Should’ve done better there as De Gea found himself in no mans land.
39′
Almost straight after Istanbul’s chance they find themselves on the defensive as Fernandes is slipped in behind and looks set to score his third, but just before he can get his toe on it Gunok is able to slide in and get the ball out of his area.
43′
Fernandes again played in behind as he makes a darting run across the Istanbul backline, Gunok again just gets there first and clears away.
43′
Istanbul’s turn to attack as Bolingoli chops the ball into Ba in the area, who swings his left foot at it and it looks destined for the goal but Maguire is able to block again.
Maguire has been fantastic so far for United, making two or three really good blocks to keep United’s clean sheet intact.
45′
A sudden rush of Man Utd attackers catches Istanbul out, with Rashford driving towards the box and finding himself with multiple great options.
He seems to pick the wrong one though, as he looks to chip it into Cavani but it only meets the head of the Istanbul centre-half.
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 3-0 ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR
Solskjær will surely be delighted with his side’s first half, with United presenting a fantastic half of attacking football with that man Fernandes finding himself in the middle of it as always.
It won’t be all good for Solskjær’s men in the dressing room however, as he’ll be certain to point out that Istanbul have had their fair share of chances in that first half.
Hopefully the second half continues with more of the same, which I’m sure it will as Istanbul will be looking to force their way back into this game.
SUBSTITUTE FOR MANCHESTER UNITED
Lindelof comes off again, with Solskjær likely looking to protect him from any injuries. Especially with the Swede having a slight problem with his back in the last few weeks.
SUBSTITUTE FOR ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR
45′
Manchester United get us restarted for the second half.
49′
Huge chance for Cavani to score his 50th european goal, as he chops in and out of the Istanbul defenders. His eventual shot is blocked well and leads to a corner.
50′
From the corner Istanbul are able to break and Visca finds some room to cut in before firing at De Gea’s goal. The Spaniard wouldn’t have seen it until late and yet still gets a strong arm to it as he turns it around the post.
Manchester United look to have learnt from the last time these two played, as they left two men back for the corner this time which stopped any repeat of Istanbul’s first goal in the reverse fixture.
53′
Visca looks to have come out with a real intent to force Istanbul back into this game, surging forward at every chance he gets. Exactly what his manager would want from his captain.
55′ YELLOW CARD TO AXEL TUANZEBE
Tuanzebe might feel rather sorry for himself here, as this booking means he is unavailable for Manchester United’s game against PSG next week.
May be a big miss for United, with him playing such a large role in nullifying Mbappe last time out.
59′ SUBSTITUTION FOR MANCHESTER UNITED
61′ SUBSTITUTION FOR ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR
64′
These subs for United seem to have put them off their rhythm as Istanbul have taken control of the game in the last few minutes.
The shape change of Man Utd might be playing some part with the players getting into their positions, with Martial seeming to slot into the middle with Cavani.
69′
You can really see the difference in this Man United team when Fernandes isn’t on the pitch, without that middle man they seem to be struggling to transition the ball from midfield to attack.
Donny Van de Beek will surely be the replacement for Fernandes when he isn’t playing, but he has been a solid performer so far in the midfield pivot with Fred tonight.
The Dutchman providing Solskjær with even more headaches with his team selections.
Embed from Getty Images74′ SUBSTITUTION FOR ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR
75′ Manchester United 3-1 Istanbul Basaksehir – TURUC
That’s a beautiful free-kick by Deniz Turuc which gives Istanbul a possible route back into this game, with De Gea not being able to palm it away before it could cross his line.
We could see a late charge for Istanbul in this last 15, another goal for the Turkish side could set up a real grandstand finish here at Old Trafford.
Two fantastic goals have been scored tonight though, right up there with Fernandes’ effort is that free-kick.
80′
Another unbelievable strike in this game, but this time it slams against the bar. So unlucky for Visca, who was able to cut inside from the right side this time before hitting with his left.
Manchester United really living dangerously in this second-half.
81′
That is poor from Ba, again squanders a great chance for Istanbul. His poor control means he can’t get his shot away quick enough and he is closed down quickly by Tuanzebe.
You have to wonder how this game could’ve gone if he were clinical with his chances tonight.
82′ SUBSTITUTION FOR MANCHESTER UNITED
Solskjær clearly feels as if the defensive mind and experience of Nemanja Matic is needed to see this game out.
85′ YELLOW CARD TO TEKDEMIR
Poor challenge on Fred as he looked to get the ball out of his half.
86′ YELLOW CARD TO MAGUIRE
Maguire booked for taking too long with the subsequent free-kick.
86′ SUBSTITUTION FOR ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR
89′ YELLOW CARD TO TURUC
Turuc’s protests following Man Utd being awarded a throw-in ends in a booking.
90′
4 minutes added on.
92′ MANCHESTER UNITED 4-1 ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR – JAMES
Istanbul’s press and high line as they look to get back into this game has eventually cost them.
Van de Beek splits the lines with a fantastic pass into Mason Greenwood who takes it in his stride before squaring to Daniel James. James expertly slots past the onrushing keeper as Man Utd finish off a good night overall by scoring.
Huge goal for James as well, with that being his first champions league goal.
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 4-1 ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR
Despite the second half resurgence from Istanbul, Man Utd do walk out comfortable winners in the end after a superb first half put them too far ahead for Istanbul to get back into it.
None will be happier than Van de Beek though, who played a majority of the game in the midfield pivot alongside Fred tonight and showed everyone why he was their main signing this season.
This win takes Man Utd to 9 points in the group and in the driving seat to progress into the next round of the Champions League, with it looking as if just one point will be needed in their next two games.
Unfortunately for Istanbul, this defeat does mean they look as if they are going to crash out of the Champions League at bottom of Group H as they are bottom of the group with just 3 points and RB Leipzig and PSG still to play.
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