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Before facing Manchester United, Istanbul Basaksehir had neither scored a goal nor claimed a point in the Champions League
It was a lens that has been described as “never seen before” … for the wrong reasons.
Former 35-year-old Premier League forward Demba Ba couldn’t believe his luck as he was given the freedom of the city to run and score Istanbul Basaksehir’s first goal in the Champions League.
Edin Visca doubled the Turkish champions’ lead thanks to an even poorer defense and, although Anthony Martial retired a goal, United could not save a result and Basaksehir achieved their first victory in the competition.
But despite making history, the first goal was what everyone was talking about.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is now under heavy pressure, said: “The first is that we play a short corner and forget about the man upstairs. That is unforgivable.”
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‘Comic’ defense and ‘computer game’ Man Utd had no players near their half court, allowing Ba a clear run at Henderson
How the first goal unfolded was absolutely amazing.
United had a corner kick that they played short and took their time getting into the box, the ball finally coming loose and allowing Visca to look up and clear a long pass upfield.
With the United defense abandoning their duties, the elderly Ba had a heads up with goalkeeper Dean Henderson from the midline, before calmly walking in.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes told BT Sport: “It all depends on the organization. It’s like under-10 football. Shameful. I have no idea what the defense was doing.
“The goal is comical, ridiculous. That can only be the fault of a player, it is not the fault of the staff or the coaches.”
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand said: “You wouldn’t see this in Hackney Marshes. Where is the defense? There is no organization. Where is the person organizing that? Absolutely crazy.
“I hope Ole is telling them that they are embarrassing him. I hope he is very excited in the locker room because those players need a rocket.”
Former United striker Robin van Persie said: “I have never seen a goal conceded like this. Defensively he is so poor.”
Solskjaer added: “You don’t see goals like that at this level. You shouldn’t concede easy goals like that. When you concede goals like that, winning matches is much more difficult.
“We have not fulfilled our roles, it is my responsibility. A short corner and we forget our defense duties.”
Solskjaer ‘refuses to comment’ on firing talk
United were humiliated 6-1 at home by Tottenham last month but bounced back by winning three of the next four games, which included a draw against Chelsea.
But after Sunday’s poor performance in a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford to Arsenal and another abject performance in Istanbul, back-to-back losses are putting pressure on manager Solskjaer.
United have not won their last six league home games, while the loss to Basaksehir ended a 10-game winning streak on the road.
Despite the looming international rift, Van Persie said he is not a “huge fan of the sacked coaches”, while former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves called Saturday’s game against Everton a “great game.”
When asked if he fears for his job, Solskjaer said: “I refuse to comment on such a thing. It is early. Opinions are there all the time. We have to stay strong.”
“I am employed by the club to do a job and I am doing the best I can with my staff.”
After the match, #OleOut, the phrase “lose to Everton” and “Poch”, referring to former Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino, were trending on social media.
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Analysis: ‘Solskjaer on the defensive’
Simon Stone from BBC Sport:
These are worrying times for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Mauricio Pochettino’s appearance on Sky Sports on Monday was a reminder of his availability, and since he was on a three-man roster to replace Louis van Gaal in 2016, and ultimately lost to José Mourinho, there is evidently an attraction there in both. sides.
United sources flatly rejected suggestions that Solskjaer’s job was threatened following Tottenham’s 6-1 humiliation in early October, but there appeared to be danger in subsequent matches that included encounters with Paris St-Germain, RB Leipzig, Chelsea. and Arsenal among others.
No one thought that the greatest danger lurked in Turkey.
No one, not the players, not the coaches, not the coach, came out of the debacle of Demba Ba’s first game with no credit. Paul Scholes called it a “defense for under 10s.” The fact that the United players managed to get into that ridiculous position suggests a lack of game intelligence and adherence to whatever plan Solskjaer and his staff put in place for the game. Assistant manager Mike Phelan can be seen pointing at Nemanja Matic, alerting him to danger. Obviously, any request to address the situation was ignored.
It all leaves Solskjaer with his foot behind, heading to Everton, where, by his own admission, he endured his worst day as United manager, when his team lost 4-0 in 2018, after which he vowed to ensure such embarrassments did not happen again.
The problem with the Norwegian is that he has returned and continues to return. It is not yet terminal for Solskjaer. But he needs to change the narrative, otherwise, Pochettino’s specter will get bigger and bigger.
What you said on #bbcfootball:
Beautiful: The players know the basics so you can’t blame the coach for that. They just can’t be bothered. Maybe they want Ole to leave? They are certainly on the right track in this regard. Disgusting.
Garry: It’s time for a change. I would like to see some passion and faith in the shirt, there comes a time when the team goes with you or is against you and this is the moment.
Tony Keating: When will they learn that wayward defense doesn’t win games, turn them on and stay on? Ole, give me a call if you want help.
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Source: bbc.com
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