Manchester United Champions League woes could hand Erik ten Hag a new year problem

Manchester United could be faced with a new year problem if their form in the UEFA Champions League continues to nosedive.

The Reds were beaten 3-2 by Galatasaray at Old Trafford on Tuesday, a result which leaves them bottom of Group A with two defeats from two. United were beaten 4-3 in their opener by Bayern Munich.

A double-header with Copenhagen and a trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray are all still to come, before a final clash with Thomas Tuchel's side that could prove pivotal if Erik ten Hag's side wish to book a spot in the knockout stages. Should they miss out on a top-two spot in their group and finish third, they will face a fixture pile-up early next year.

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Third place in the group would see United drop into the Europa League and they would face a play-off round against one of the eight runners-up from the Europa League group stage. Those matches would take place on February 15 and 22 and a further seven fixtures could follow should United reach the final.

It is a scenario Ten Hag and United faced last season with Europa League football and runs to the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals prompting a heavy fixture load. United played eight times last February and could face a repeat this term.

Factor in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and it could then be a serious headache for Ten Hag. Hannibal, Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat and Amad Diallo could all be called up to represent their nations in early 2024 with the final taking place in early February meaning some of that quartet could miss a tranche of fixtures.