Manchester United suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Demba Ba opened the score-line after 11 minutes in spectacular fashion, the former Chelsea man running clear from the halfway line and past Dan Henderson with United seemingly a team defensively equal. Don’t advance a level in the dying seconds while chasing. After playing for less than a quarter of an hour.
Basaksehir doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time with a natural counter-attack. Juan Mata’s pocket was picked up by Deniz Torc, and Ba’s clever dummy let the ball into the path of Aidan Vesca, who slotted home.
United suffered defeat in Istanbul. #MUFC #UCL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 4, 2020
Within three minutes, the Red Devils had halved the deficit as Luke Shaw’s pinpoint cross was headed into the bottom corner of the net by Anthony Martial.
United almost equalized at the death, but Alessandro Ipuriano made a superb goal-line clearance as Basaksehir secured a famous victory.
Let’s look at some player ratings.
Maguire starts at the heart of United’s defense/Barack Cara/Getty Images
Dean Henderson (GK) – 5/10 – Basaksehir could do little about either goal, leaving the United goalkeeper completely exposed by his backline.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) – 4/10 – The entire United backline struggled, especially in the first half, with Basaksehir’s second coming down the right and pushing Wan-Bissaka high. Substituted after 76 minutes.
Axel Tuanzebe (CB) – 2/10 – Ba was gifted all the freedom in the world as the former Chelsea man bullied the United backline. Substituted at half time.
Harry Maguire (CB) – 3/10 – Picked out Fernandez in the early stages of the first half with a superb lofted pass and made a notable interception when Irfan Kahoeki ran menacingly across the United backline. Struggled to compete with Ba, especially in the first half.
Luke Shaw (LB) – 4/10 – Fired a dangerous low cross in front of goal inside the first 10 minutes. Single-handedly scored United’s goal, room to work for the delivery and pick out Martial.
Mata and van de Baek start in United’s midfield diamond / De Foddy Images / Getty Images
Nemanja Matic (CDM) – 4/10 – The left-armer was exposed as Ba charged for Basaksher’s opener. The back four provided little protection, and were moved to center half in the second half.
Juan Mata (CM) – 10/4 – The ball is shrugged off and Bisaksher’s second is given possession in the build-up.
Bruno Fernandes (CM) – 5/10 – Sent a spirited volley wide in the opening exchanges, never able to unlock the Basaksehir backline all evening.
Donnie van de Beek (CM) – 10/6 – Pick a bunch from United’s midfield. Fast and clean in possession, unfortunately will be taken off after an hour.
Martial was on the scoresheet for United/D Foudy Images/Getty Images.
Anthony Marshall (ST) – 6/10 – The scoresheet was on the scoresheet with a predetermined header on the stroke of half-time.
Marcus Rashford (ST) – 5/10 – A quiet, frustrating night for the United forward, rarely seeing a goal. Greenwood was replaced after 76 minutes.
Pogba comes off the bench for United / De Foudy Images / Getty Images
Scott McTominay- 5/10
Paul Pogba -5/10
Edinson Kiwani – 5/10
Mason Greenwood- 5/10
Timothy Fosu Mensah – 5/10