Just as they had in Copenhagen at the start of the month, United raced into a quick 2-0 lead. And, just as was the case in Denmark, they spent the rest of the game apparently trying to throw that lead away.

Keeper Andre Onana was the culprit for two of the Galatasary goals, direct free-kicks from Chelsea loanee Hakim Ziyech.

It was home sub Kerem Akturkoglu who blasted a 71st minute super strike that made it 3-3 but ten Hag can only wonder how his side managed to squander a two-goal lead not once, but twice.

It had all started so well for the Reds who knew that victory would leave their qualification fate in their own hands going into the final game at home to group winners Bayern Munich in two weeks.

After the game had survived a pre-match pitch inspection due to torrential rain, the quality of the two United goals and the strong opening might have dampened home spirits.

On 11 minutes, Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes moved the ball across the box to find an unmarked Alejandro Garnacho who finished with a superb strike from 15 yards.

There was an angry reaction from Galatasary players who objected to the youngster’s celebrations and the Spanish referee spoke to both captains to plead for calm.

But just seven minutes later, Luke Shaw intelligently played a through ball for Fernandes to collect, with the United captain advancing before lashing a superb finish into the top-left corner of the goal.

There were obvious comparisons to be drawn with the bitter 4-3 loss in Copenhagen, not to mention the home meeting with the Turkish side, in which United twice led before losing 3-2.

And, on 28 minutes, Onana somehow managed to allow Ziyech’s free-kick to squirm under his body and over the line after his shot passed through the United wall.

There were numerous warning signs for ten Hag, not least when Mauro Icardi had an equaliser ruled out for offside before the interval.

But on 54 minutes, their worries should have been behind them when Aaron Wan-Bissaka picked out Scott McTominay with a right-wing cross and the Scotland international finished clinically from six yards.

Still, an incredible game was far from over, and would not be until the closing seconds.

And on 70 minutes, Akturkoglu showed an amazing first touch to help him hold off Kobbie Mainoo before scoring with a stunning shot from just inside the area.

The equaliser instantly relegated United to bottom place in the group and also set up a chaotic finale to the contest, with chances at both ends.

On 85 minutes, former United winger Wilfried Zaha had his team’s best chance of the half but struck the ball too close to Onana before United sprinted up the other end and Fernandes hit the post.

They were two of the combined 33 chances created by the two teams although there was almost a United winner when Lucas Torreira almost gifted Facundo Pellistri an open net.

Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Muslera 6; Boey 6, Ayhan 6, Bardacki 6, Angelino 7 (Nelson 83); Torreira 7, Ndombele 6 (Oliveira 60, 6); Ziyech 9 (Yilmaz 82), Mertens 7 (Akturkoglu 60, 6), Zaha 6; Icardi 7. Substitutes (not used) Demirbay, Guvenc, Tete, Karates, Bakumbu.

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana 4; Wan-Bissaka 6 (Dalot 77, 5), Maguire 7, Lindelof 6, Shaw 7; McTominay 7, Amrabat 5 (Mainoo 58, 6); Antony 9, Fernandes 8, Garnacho 8 (Pellistri 77, 5); Hojlund 7 (Martial 58, 5). Substitutes (not used) Bayindir, Reguilon, Varane, Heaton, Gore, Mejbri, Hugill.

Referee: Jose Martinez (Spain) 6