"You know the good thing about hitting rock bottom, there's only one way left to go and that's up!" Buster Moon once charmingly expressed in the critically acclaimed animated musical "Sing."

Alas, the sentiment conveyed by the anthropomorphic koala's insightful words holds no relevance when it comes to the situation of Manchester United. 

The football juggernaut endured a season fraught with despair as they stumbled from one disheartening defeat to another. Their recent encounter against Turkish side Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday proved to be no exception, as the visitors capitalized on an array of woeful defensive errors to secure a comeback win at the historic grounds of Old Trafford. 

United managed to seize the lead on two occasions courtesy of their talented striker Rasmus Hojlund. However, their advantage proved to be short-lived, as the resilient hosts could only maintain their superiority for a mere total of 10 minutes. 

This fleeting triumph was swiftly nullified by the determined efforts of former team member Wilfried Zaha and the ever-capable Kerem Akturkoglu, who promptly restored equilibrium to the contest.  

Subsequent to Mauro Icardi's unfortunate inability to prey on a penalty opportunity that arose due to a blunder committed by goalkeeper Andre Onana, leading to Casemiro's expulsion from the match, the Argentine striker rectified his earlier misstep.  

Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Icardi outpaced the opposing team's defensive line, surging forward with great determination, ultimately culminating in a brilliant finish that found the back of the net and sealed the victory.

United have now lost their opening two matches of the Champions League group stage for the first time in history. They also suffered their worst start to a Premier League season after losing four of their opening seven outings.

Furthermore, in the current 2023-24 season, United have already conceded a staggering 18 goals in 10 games, a figure that surpasses their most abysmal defensive struggles at this stage since the bygone era of 1966-67. 

This fateful clash with Galatasaray proved to be an utterly dreadful affair for United manager Erik ten Hag, who stoically weathered the downpour until the final whistle, desperately yearning for his team to salvage a glimmer of hope in a campaign that has been as gloomy as the inclement weather itself. 

In order to unearth a start to a campaign as dire as the one currently witnessed by United, one must journey back to the autumn of 1986, during the waning days of Ron Atkinson's tenure. It was a period that predates the establishment of the illustrious modern entity that Old Trafford has since become – a veritable giant in the realm of football. 

Indeed, to be impartial, it is crucial to acknowledge the adverse impact that injuries and absences have had on Ten Hag's strategic planning and team composition.  

The unfortunate loss of both left-backs, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, to long-term injuries has disrupted the team's defensive stability. Moreover, the unavailability of Sergio Reguilon further compounds the predicament. Consequently, United have been compelled to deploy Sofyan Amrabat as a makeshift left-back.

Additionally, the ongoing stand-off concerning Jadon Sancho's transfer situation remains unresolved, presenting a persistent challenge for the club. The lack of progress in this matter adds to the complex dynamics at play. 

Moreover, decisions made at the board level pertaining to Antony's immediate prospects and Mason Greenwood's scandal have also stirred chaos and confusion within the club. 

But Ten Hag is still confronted with a series of questions that demand answers. During the summer, his decision to part ways with David de Gea was influenced by the desire for a goalkeeper adept at playing the ball. 

With the arrival of Onana from Inter Milan, expectations were high, buoyed by his exceptional performances in the previous season. However, it is undeniable that Onana's recent errors have accumulated. The Cameroonian goalkeeper has taken ownership of United's recent 4-3 loss against Bayern Munich, admitting his handling error that resulted in the Germans' opening goal.

Similarly, in the Galatasaray tie, Onana must bear the weight of responsibility for an ill-advised pass that found its way directly to Dries Mertens, proving pivotal in the outcome of the game. 

United's predicament places them at the bottom of their Champions League group. The forthcoming home fixture against Copenhagen, scheduled in three weeks' time, assumes the status of an imperative must-win encounter. 

To be fair, Ten Hag experienced a fruitful first season at Old Trafford, guiding United to a respectable third-place finish in the league under different circumstances. This accomplishment was further complemented by their triumph in the League Cup, thus bringing an end to a prolonged six-year spell without claiming silverware.  

But for now, the once-promising empire crafted under the stewardship of the Dutchman now finds itself unraveling, its very foundations crumbling amidst a sea of disappointment. 

"We are fighting together, we stick together, we are behind each other," insisted Ten Hag. "Me, the directors, the team all together we will fight. This is not us. We know we have to do better and in togetherness we will come out of this situation." 

As Ten Hag aptly emphasized, United, as a unified collective, must diligently seek out viable solutions to salvage their season before it reaches a point of irretrievable despair.