Landmark night as Manchester United start 3 Africans for the first time in UCL history

Landmark night as Manchester United start 3 Africans for the first time in UCL history

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 08:11 - 04.10.2023

Manchester United had three African stars in the starting XI for the first time in the club's UEFA Champions League history.

Andre Onana (Cameroon), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia), and Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco) all started for Manchester United in the 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray. 

Manchester United celebrate Africa

This marks the first time the club had ever started three Africans in a Champions League game and could serve as a pointer to the increased influence Africa is starting to have on the global scene.

Manchester United's Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana || Getty

Erik ten Hag's men failed to get the desired result though, as they twice threw away leads to make it two losses from two games in this season's UEFA Champions League.

As far as the individual performances, Hannibal Mejbri was decent but failed to make any real impact while Onana continued to look suspect in the United goal.

He made a costly error that led to Casemiro getting sent off and was easily beaten by Mauro Icardi for Galatasaray's winner.

Sofyan Amrabat didn't fare much better either, having a hand in the second and third goals for the visitors. 

Overall, it was a disappointing night for United's African contingent.

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