In Focus: In-form Icardi ready to test Man Utd's makeshift defence

Mauro Icardi will have his sights firmly set on Manchester United's injury-hit defence.

The Red Devils host Galatasaray in the Champions League this evening with a long list of first-team absentees, including Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Sergio Reguilon and Tyrell Malacia.

United's injury issues present the Turkish side and their free-scoring striker with an opportunity to pick up three precious points after their 2-2 draw with FC Copenhagen two weeks ago. 

We shine the spotlight on the Argentine marksman who has finally found a new home in Istanbul.

Goal machine

Icardi joined Galatasaray on loan in September 2022 after a difficult stint at Paris Saint-Germain, where he failed to nail down a regular starting berth.

The 30-year-old centre forward took over a month to net his first goal in a league match against Alanyaspor but after that he struck at a magnificent rate.

He finished the 2022-23 season with 22 goals from 24 Super Lig appearances as Okan Buruk's side won their 23rd domestic championship.

Icardi was also named in the Turkish top flight's Team of the Season and his performances saw the Istanbul giants make the move permanent in July, with the striker signing a three-year deal.

And he is already repaying Galatasaray's faith in him this term, bagging seven goals in as many league appearances and playing a key role in the club's European success with three goals from four appearances in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Happy Mauro

Icardi netted his 200th career goal in the Champions League play-off first leg victory over Molde in August and was keen to express his happiness at reaching the milestone in a Galatasaray jersey.

He said: "I'm very happy at Galatasaray. Coming here has given me the chance to prove myself, just as I've always done. I'm setting new goals for myself. From the very beginning, I've felt at home here.

"Some believe that if you're in Turkey, you're not at the elite level of Europe and that you're regressing. However, I have the opposite view.

"At Galatasaray, I've witnessed fans who are incredibly passionate about football and I've formed a genuinely strong bond with them. 

"Some players have unique abilities. Mine is scoring goals. It's no secret. With every goal I score, I'm genuinely delighted by the support of the fans."

Old Trafford awaits

Stopping a happy Icardi in superb scoring form will be a huge test for Erik ten Hag's makeshift defence.

With the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Dries Mertens and Tete providing support to him in attack, the eight-cap international can help to exploit the weaknesses in United's back-line. 

The Red Devils have shipped 11 goals in their seven Premier League outings this campaign and conceded four times in their loss to Bayern Munich on Matchday 1.

They also go into tonight's match on the back of a demoralising 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford last Saturday — and that will only seek to further motivate Galatasaray and Icardi to achieve a historic victory on English soil.