On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, Manchester United is set to play Galatasaray away in Turkey in a must-win game for the Red Devils if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League last 16.
The mathematics:
A Manchester United win will not be enough for them to qualify, but they hope Bayern Munich beats Copenhagen, who are in second place, and Manchester United beats Bayern in the last game of the group stages to give United 9 points and leaders Bayern 15 points.
They are also hoping the last game between Copenhagen and Galatasaray ends in a draw so that they both stay on 5 points.
According to Erik Ten Hag, the Manchester United manager, if Manchester United is to progress to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League, they have to win their remaining two games and hope Bayern beats Copenhagen tonight and Manchester beats Bayern in the last game, or a loss to Manchester United to the Bavarians would only mean United prays for a draw for both Copenhagen and Galatasaray in their last group stage game.
“There is no doubt our progress to the next stage depends on two possible outcomes: outdo our best tonight and win over a tough opponent in the last game, and also wait for the results from Bayern, where a draw or win for Bayern will only be helpful after we have beaten Galatasaray,” Ten Hag added.
The Manchester United squad has been boosted by the return of Antony and Rasmus Hojlund and will miss Marcus Rashford as he was suspended after his red card in their 4-3 home defeat against Copenhagen on November 8, 2023.
In other groups, Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, InterMilan, Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Lazio, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich from Group A have already qualified for the last 16 regardless of the outcomes of the games not yet played.
