What Man Utd need to qualify from Champions League group stage
- Man Utd have lost three of their five group games
- Red Devils can still finish second but host Bayern Munich in their last match
- Erik ten Hag's side could drop into the Europa League or be eliminated from Europe altogether
By Euan Burns
It was another dramatic night in Europe for Manchester United as they stumbled towards a chaotic 3-3 draw with Galatasaray.
United have earned one solitary win from their five Champions League group games this season. Just as they did on their trip to Copenhagen at the start of November, United raced into a two-goal lead in Istanbul. Unlike the Danes, Galatasaray had to settle for a point but both clubs, along with table-topping Bayern Munich, sit above the Red Devils in Group A.
With one game of the first phase remaining, United are still somehow clinging onto aspirations of competing in Europe's premier club competition after Christmas.
Here's what Erik ten Hag's side need to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League this season.
How can Man Utd reach in the Champions League knockout stages?
Group A table
Club | Played | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
Bayern Munich | 5 | +5 | 13 |
Copenhagen | 5 | -1 | 5 |
Galatasaray | 5 | -2 | 5 |
Man Utd | 5 | -2 | 4 |
On the same night Man Utd were held by Galatasaray, Bayern Munich did the Red Devils no favours by drawing 0-0 with FC Copenhagen. The German side, already guaranteed first place in Group A, ended a sequence of 17 consecutive group-stage victories.
Bayern's six-year unbeaten stretch in the first phase of the competition is still intact ahead of their trip to Old Trafford in the final round of fixtures.
United have no other option but victory over Bayern if they are to progress to the Champions League knockout stages. Ten Hag - formerly manager of Bayern's B team - watched his side duke out a bizarre 4-3 loss at the home of the perennial German champions in September.
Despite the scoreline, United were well beaten in Bavaria. A repeat result would mean the end of the club's participation in any European competition this season. United have only once before finished bottom of their Champions League group.
Victory over Bayern will only be enough for Manchester United if other results go their way.
FC Copenhagen host Galatasaray at the same time as Bayern's trip to Old Trafford on 13 December. Only a draw in that contest would give United the chance to sneak into second place. The reverse fixture in Istanbul ended all square at 2-2 but only thanks to a pair of goals in the final four minutes from Galatasaray.
If United hold up their end of the bargain and beat Bayern but one of Copenhagen or Galatasaray triumph - thereby joining the Germans in the round of 16 - Ten Hag's side will drop into the Europa League.
Man Utd 2023/24 Champions League fixtures and results
Matchday | Date/Kick-off time (UK) | Fixture/Result |
|---|---|---|
1 | 20/09/23 - 20:00 | Bayern Munich 4-3 Manchester United |
2 | 03/10/23 - 20:00 | Manchester United 2-3 Galatasaray |
3 | 24/10/23 - 20:00 | Manchester United 1-0 Copenhagen |
4 | 08/11/23 - 20:00 | Copenhagen 4-3 Manchester United |
5 | 29/11/23 - 17:45 | Galatasaray 3-3 Manchester United |
6 | 12/12/23 - 20:00 | Manchester United vs Bayern Munich |
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