Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk held a press conference before the Champions League match day 5 Group A Manchester United match.
Buruk gave the bad news regarding star defender Davinson Sanchez but did not rule out fellow defender Abdulkadir Bardakci returning.
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The manager also underlined that his side intend to book a place in the next round of the Champions League tomorrow, which a win could ensure.
However, he also made it clear that Galatasaray will not underestimate United who have improved since the last time the two sides met at Old Trafford which ended in a 3-2 win for the Istanbul giants.
“It is a very important match to get out of the group,” Buruk said. “When we win the Manchester match, we will have guaranteed Europe. Our goal is to get out of the group.”
“Manchester United changed and improved compared to the first match,” he said. “They won 5 of the last 6 matches in the league. They have also improved as a staff.”
Buruk also addressed the injury situation Sanchez and Abdülkerim Bardakcı. The Lions boss revealed that the former Tottenham centre-back could be out for up to three weeks and that he will not take a pain killing injection to play tomorrow.
“There is no chance of Davinson Sanchez playing with a pain killing needle” he said. “We expect him to return to the team in 2-3 weeks. We will see Abdülkerim Bardakcı for the last time in training and we will decide on his situation.”
Overall, Buruk is confident that Galatasaray can win the match against Manchester United and advance to the next round of the Champions League.
