Match Preview: Manchester United v/s Galatasaray

Manchester United FC v/s Galatasaray SK

Old Trafford

Kick Off : 19:45 BST (Wednesday, 19th Sep 2012),

00:15 IST (Thursday, 20th Aug 2012),

Referee - Wolfgang Stark (Germany)

It’s that time of the year again when football matches start cropping up in the middle of the week. And, boy, don’t they turn out to be classics! People all around the globe wait with bated breath to see their favourite teams battle it out on the grandest stage of them all. It’s time to say those oft repeated words again – The UEFA Champions League is here. With the likes of Madrid and City, and Chelsea and Juventus facing off in the very first week of the competition, this season can only get more interesting and enthralling.

Manchester United will be starting their campaign against the Turkish champions Galatasaray, who have never beaten the Red Devils. After reaching three finals of the four played in between 2008-2011, United crashed out unceremoniously at the group stages last year, with Swiss champions FC Basel handing them the knockout blow. Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking to make amends this time.

Team Preview:

Manchester United:

Playing in their 17th successive Champions League group stage, United will be looking to continue their league goal-scoring form, where they have hammered 10 in the last 3 games. Although Rooney has an outside chance of a comeback, Ferguson may rest him keeping in mind the Liverpool game this weekend, where Rooney may make the bench.Van Persie and Kagawa should play, and either one of Welbeck or Hernandez may make the starting XI.

Defensive woes continue to haunt United,with Evra the latest one to pick up a knock. Alexander Buttner, who scored a goal on his debut against Wigan four days back, looks set to start again. Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Ashley Young are out. Jonny Evans, though, can start if Sir Alex decides to rest either one of Ferdinand or Vidic.

Suspense on the goalkeeping front continues to brew, with De Gea and Lindegaard both playing two games apiece till now. It remains to be seen who Ferguson will choose to stand between the sticks.

Manchester United (Possible 4-2-3-1): Lindegaard, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Buttner, Scholes, Carrick, Valencia, Kagawa, Nani, Van Persie

Galatasaray :

The Turkish champions are coming into this match on a high, having won 3 of their last 4 games, and currently sitting at the top of the table. They have made the Champions League draw for the first time in six years and will be determined to show that they have it in them to play at the highest level.

Galatasaray have been active in the transfer market over the past year and have acquired the services of Nordin Amrabat and Burak Y?lmaz, and have also bought Turkish international Hamit Altintop from Real Madrid. They have retained Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo and have also brought in Umut Bulut on loan. Bulut has already scored three goals this season, and is the player United have to be wary of. Moroccan international Amrabat is also rated highly and will look to increase his goal tally.

Veteran Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi (Cruciate Ligament) is the most notable omission from the squad and looks set to miss the remainder of the season. Sabri Sarioglu is unavailable as well. Engin Beytar may feature, after missing the Turkish league games due to suspension.

Galatasaray (Possible ,4-4-2) : Muslera,Eboue,Cris,Kaya,Balta;Altintop,Melo,Inan,Colak;Elmander,Bulut

Prediction :

With years of history behind them – most aptly summarized by the “Welcome to Hell” banners of Galatasaray which greeted United players in the 1993 Champions League tie – these two teams will be looking to start on a positive note. Statistics are against Galatasaray, who have never ever won a match on English soil and in favour of Manchester United, who have lost only two of their last 56 Champions League games at home. United are the better team on paper and will hope to bag their first victory.

Manchester United 3-0 Galatasaray