Man Utd team news to face Galatasaray confirmed as Uefa say Champions League match WILL go ahead despite torrential rain
ISTANBUL has been hit with torrential wind and rain ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Galatasaray this evening, with a pitch inspection needed at Rams Park.
And Erik ten Hag may have created a storm among the fanbase after dropping Kobbie Mainoo to the bench following his starring performance against Everton.
He has been replaced in midfield by Sofyan Amrabat.
In better news, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and top Champions League Rasmus Hojlund have both returned to the starting xi.
Antony has also been recalled after not featuring in the trip to Goodison Park.
The Red Devils are set to face Okan Buruk’s side in a must-win Champions League clash.
Around 2,500 United fans have travelled to Turkey for the match.
However, they have been warned to take extra care due to the extreme weather.
Heavy rain has already started to flood the streets of Istanbul, with strong winds also expected ahead of kick-off.
A pitch inspection was called this afternoon, but UEFA insist the match is still scheduled to go ahead as planned.
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A statement before the game said: “We are closely monitoring the weather forecast and at this stage the match will go ahead as scheduled”.
Officials conducting the inspection were said to be unimpressed with large patches of standing water in front of the benches.
Despite the weather, Man Utd‘s Under-19’s still faced Galatasaray in the UEFA Youth League at lunchtime, winning 1-0.
But while the full game was played, it was severely impacted by a waterlogged pitch at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium.
A commentator for MUTV even deemed it as “unplayable” with 20 minutes remaining.
Some Man Utd supporters took to X to share their accounts of the weather, with one person admitting that they had “never seen rain like it”.
Another compared the streets to rivers, while a third person wrote: “I hope the drainage is good at Rams Park. Been pouring with rain all day in Istanbul. Thunder and lightning now.”
The Red Devils must win this evening in order to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
They will not progress to the knockout stages if they lose.
Erik ten Hag‘s side go into the vital game in good form, having won their last three Premier League games without conceding a goal.
However, Galatasaray will not make it easy for them at Rams Park.
The club’s ultra group has warned fans that no phones or social media will be allowed in the stands during the match.
A statement read: “90 minutes of aggressive support. Go to war with the team!”
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