When : 19-09-2012, Wednesday (Midnight 12.15 IST)
What : Manchester United vs Galatasaray
Where : Old Trafford
Attendance: 75,142
Referee: Wolfgang Stark
Result : Manchester United 1 - 0 Galatasaray
Scorers: Manchester United: Michael Carrick - 7th Minute (Assist : Kagawa)
Magical European Nights - as Fergie would describe them - returned to Old Trafford. After the dreadful last season in which United failed to qualify for the Knock out stages, Manchester United were determined to set things right in the new season. The first match of the group stages saw Galatasaray visit Old Trafford. SAF put out his best team with Vidic, Evans, Evra and Rafael making up the defense. That Paul Scholes started the match was a testimonial to the determination of the Red Devils to not repeat last season mistakes when they tinkered too much with the players and the formations. Carrick partnered Scholes with Valencia and Nani on the wings. Van Persie was upfront and Kagawa started in the support striker role, a formation which seemed to bring the best out of the Kagawa-Persie partnership.
The match started off on a cautious note, when Galatasaray had a penalty appeal turned down as early as the 3rd minute. Vidic seemed to foul Bulut in the penalty box, but the referee waved play on and United seemed to escape. It was united's turn to attack and Michael Carrick did just that, running with the ball from the midfield and laying the ball to Van Persie who passed it pass in to Carrick's stride. Carrick then exchanged a brilliantly timed one two with Kagawa to slice the defense open. The goal keeper came charging out and hung his foot out to trip Carrick. Carrick kept his footing and passed into the open goal to score United's first goal of the night. That he stayed on his feet, when he could have easily gone down with the challenge, which would also had the GK sent off, showed that United were determined not to lose any chances. United scored early and there were expectations of this being a high scoring United victory.
Galatasaray were not ready to sit back and almost scored in their next attack when Nordin Amrabat struck the post with a curling shot. That was the warning sign for United that they were in for a difficult night. Though United controlled the possession and had a few chances to score, Galatasaray attacked on the counter and looked dangerous. Altintop was Galatasaray's go to man in the midfield as he kept making powerful runs at the defense.
Early in the second half, Rafael made a surging run into the box and was brought down by Yilmaz for a United penalty. Having already missed two penalties in the season, United looked uncertain and when Nani stepped up, there were a few nervous faces in the dug out. Nani stopped midway through his run up and hit a weak shot which was comfortably saved by the goal keeper. That made it three penalty misses for United in the season. Galatasaray attacked on the counter and almost scored the equalizer. David De gea was up for the challenge first blocking a shot from Yilmaz and then making a brilliant one hand block to stop Colak's spectacular effort on goal.
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United were looking tired and SAF had to ring in the changes. Paul Scholes made way for Darren Fletcher who was making a comeback to the team after being away for 10 months because of a bowel inflammation complaint. There were doubts about his comeback and it was great to see the mid fielder make a return. The Old Trafford faithful showed their appreciation marking Fletcher's return with a warm applause. With the clock running down, Kagawa and Persie were replaced by Wellback and Hernandez as United managed to keep the Galatasaray attack out and win their first match of the season.
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United would look to build on this momentum and top the group and erase the memories of a woeful last season.
Man Of The Match: Michael Carrick
Next Fixture: The Biggest game of all
Liverpool vs Manchester United
When : 23-09-12
Where : Anfield
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