The Red Devils know defeat would confirm their elimination from Group A, while a draw also may not be enough to prevent a humiliating early exit.
Ten Hag’s maiden Champions League campaign at Old Trafford has been nothing short of a disaster, overseeing three defeats in four games.
United lost an entertaining opener 4-3 at Bayern Munich, who have already been named group winners with a 100 per cent record.
They then squandered two leads to suffer a shock 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray before Andre Onana’s last-gasp penalty save rescued a 1-0 win against FC Copenhagen, both on home soil.
But United shot themselves in the foot in the reverse fixture, leading 2-0 before Marcus Rashford’s first-half red card sparked chaos, which ended in a late 4-3 loss at Parken.
It leaves Ten Hag’s side on three points ahead of the must-win trip to Galatasaray, who are level with Copenhagen on four.
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And the Dutchman has two significant decisions to make as preparations commence for Wednesday’s trip today.
Anthony Martial deputised for the injured Rasmus Hojlund successfully at Everton, scoring his ninth goal in 16 appearances against the Toffees to round off the triumph.
Hojlund trained last week, which suggests that Ten Hag rested the 20-year-old Dane for Istanbul to build on his impressive record in the competition – netting five goals in four appearances.
But after United recorded their first league win by more than a one-goal margin this season on Merseyside, Ten Hag may be reluctant to risk unsettling his front line, given all three found the net.
