Man United’s crunch Champions League game with Galatasaray IN DOUBT as Istanbul is lashed by torrential rain and storms… with RAMS Park pitch left covered in huge puddles just hours before kick-off

Manchester United will face a saturated pitch and an eerie atmosphere when their crucial Champions League clash with Galatasaray goes ahead on Wednesday evening.

Istanbul was hit by heavy rain and thunderstorms on match day, leaving the RAMS Park playing surface covered in huge puddles.

UEFA officials inspected the pitch and, as it stands, are confident the match, which starts at 5.45pm UK time and 8.45pm local time, will go ahead as planned.

However, the pitch will need to absorb a lot more water before the start, with the weather forecast indicating further heavy rain and storms to come – meaning the situation could change.

In a positive sign, the circular Champions League banner was dragged to the center circle just over two hours before kick-off, after which the first supporters were allowed in.

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A photo posted on

Another video, posted by Turkish newspaper Fanatik, showed a worrying lack of bounce and movement when a ball was thrown onto the wet pitch.

Even Galatasaray’s official English-language report acknowledged that the ‘rain continues to pour down’ in the hours leading up to kick-off.

United’s under-19 team got a taste of the boggy conditions when they lost 1-0 to their Galatasaray counterparts in the UEFA Youth League earlier on Wednesday.

Their match, played across town at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium in Kasimpasa, took place in pouring rain.

Any postponement would wreak havoc on both teams’ schedules. Erik ten Hag’s team will play against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Article 27.01 of the UEFA Rules states that any postponed match must ideally be played the following day, meaning United would have a very short turnaround time before their trip to Tyneside.

They state: ‘If a match cannot be played or cannot be played in full, the entire or remaining match time will generally be played the next day, without prejudice to any disciplinary measures.

‘To this end, home clubs must enter into all necessary agreements to ensure that the necessary facilities are in place and can be operated.

‘If the match cannot be rescheduled for the following day, UEFA’s governing body will set a new date, during a reserve date or another date. The rescheduling may result in exceptions to the regular competition calendar (see Appendix C).

‘As a rule, a rescheduled match is played at the same location. If circumstances require a change of venue, the UEFA administration must approve the alternative venue.”

Galatasaray travels to Pendikspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday evening.

United are bottom of Group A of the Champions League after losing three of their first four games, including 3-2 to Galatasaray at Old Trafford.

A defeat in Istanbul would see Ten Hag’s side exit the Champions League and not be assured of the Europa League consolation prize ahead of their sixth match against Bayern Munich.

A draw would not eliminate them, but would leave them having to beat Bayern and depend on the result in the other match between Copenhagen and Galatasaray.