Galatasaray set for Man Utd clash as Champions League returns after int'l break

Copenhagen, Galatasaray on 4 points, Manchester United on 3 in 4 matches; 3 clubs battling for runners-up position in Group A

By Can Erozden

Galatasaray target Manchester United in a critical match in Istanbul on Wednesday as the top-tier UEFA Champions League returns this week after the international break.

Bayern Munich secured 12 points in four matches, winning Group A, while the German powerhouse led by Harry Kane defeated Galatasaray 2-1 in a previous match on Nov. 8 in Munich.

Copenhagen and Galatasaray are both on four points, with fourth-place Manchester United trailing on three points in four Group A matches. These three clubs are now in a battle for the runners-up position.

The Champions League group stage will conclude after matchday six, scheduled to be played on Dec. 12 and 13.

The top two clubs in each group will qualify for the knockout phase.

Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Inter Milan, Manchester City and Leipzig have so far qualified for the Champions League last 16.

The matchday six will be followed by the Round of 16 draw on Dec. 18.

In October, Galatasaray stunned Manchester United 3-2 in a week two match at Old Trafford, a misery for the Red Devils. Argentine star Mauro Icardi scored a late winner to bring a Galatasaray's first victory in England.

Icardi and Wilfried Zaha are among the Galatasaray's goal-scoring threats against Manchester United.

However, the Istanbul team may lack Davinson Sanchez in their home match as the Colombian central defender was diagnosed with a second-degree strain in his upper left rear thigh muscle, the club confirmed.

Sanchez, a Galatasaray regular, was injured in a league match on the weekend.

Meanwhile, Manchester United will be without their English star Marcus Rashford on Wednesday evening as the visitors' 26-year-old forward, who assisted Denmark's Rasmus Hojlund in the first match at Old Trafford, is suspended for the Galatasaray showdown.

Manchester United's Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez, Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen and Brazilian midfielder Casemiro have injury problems.

The Galatasaray vs. Man Utd match at Istanbul's RAMS Park. will start at 1745GMT on Wednesday.

Champions League matchday 5 fixtures

- Tuesday

Lazio - Celtic

Shakhtar Donetsk - Royal Antwerp

AC Milan - Borussia Dortmund

Feyenoord - Atletico Madrid

Paris Saint-Germain - Newcastle United

Barcelona - Porto

Young Boys - Crvena zvezda

Manchester City - Leipzig