Man Utd fans fear Galatasaray clash could be postponed after 'farcical' scenes in U19 match

Manchester United supporters fear that their Champions League clash against Galatasaray could be postponed after seeing the UEFA Youth League clash between the two sides.

The Youth League, which mirrors the fixtures played on each Champions League group stage gameweek, saw Galatasaray take on United in today's early kick-off.

Travis Binnion's young United side were defeated 1-0 in Istanbul, with forward Baran Demiroglu scoring the only goal of the game.

And much like in the senior competition, United are currently bottom of their Youth League group.

But the Red Devils were majorly affected by conditions at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium, with the two teams playing on what could be classed as a waterlogged pitch.

The conditions in the Man Utd U19s match…

I wonder if tonight’s match will be any different pic.twitter.com/TK7iFsZwoV

— academyarena Utd (@academyarenaUTD) November 29, 2023

And while United's Champions League clash against the Turkish giants tonight will take place at Rams Park - which will likely have significantly better drainage in place - fans are concerned over the conditions in Istanbul and whether they could affect the match being played tonight.

One fan wrote: "Unless they have state of the art infrastructure, the pitch is probably going to be a bit waterlogged. The U19 game was farcical."

Another wrote: "Unfair game with unfair ground. Should have just postponed it."

A third even claimed: "The weather is very rainy in Istanbul today, the match will not be played."

According to the Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler, there is no current suggestion that the game could be postponed - although that may change if conditions worsen.

He posted to X (Twitter): "Biblical showers in Istanbul overnight have continued today but no suggestion that tonight's game is in any doubt."

According to the Met Office, heavy showers will continue in Istanbul throughout the evening - although whether they will have any impact on the Champions League clash in the city remains to be seen.

As the afternoon unfolded, ESPN reporter Rob Dawson confirmed that UEFA officials have been inspecting the pitch as rain continues to fall.

Current state of the pitch at Rams Park. Doesn’t look good at all. It’s been raining heavily in Istanbul all day and it doesn’t look like stopping. Lots of officials out having a look. pic.twitter.com/RILQGW5wUu

— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) November 29, 2023

He posted: "Current state of the pitch at Rams Park. Doesn't look good at all.

"It's been raining heavily in Istanbul all day and it doesn't look like stopping. Lots of officials out having a look."