Sir Alex Ferguson has tonight reacted to our Champions League draw, with United being handed a relatively easy group.
“We have the experience of playing against Galatasaray in the past and we will always remember the ‘Welcome to Hell’ banners,” he told the official site. “So it’s always a difficult type of match. We have drawn Portuguese clubs a number of times over the past few years – the likes of Benfica, Sporting and Porto – so we have the experience of playing in Portugal on many occasions. Braga are one of the improving teams in that country. Obviously, we’ve never played Cluj before but, after the experience of last year, we don’t want to make any stupid errors this time. We will play our strongest team to make sure we get through.”
United last travelled to Galatasaray in 1994 and were greeted with what has since been described as a cauldron of hate, a year after their first trip there.
Steve Curry, a journalist who was at that game in 93, has reflected on what it was like inside the ground that night.
“Turkish sides have a reputation for creating hostility within their stadiums and this night was to be the most frightening of my 45-year career,” he said. “The intimidation started at the airport as the team arrived. The ground had been full two hours before the game and the noise reached a crescendo by the time the teams took to the pitch. Sir Alex Ferguson was to suggest the police were more frightening than the crowd. He should have been in the press box where we had rubbish and antagonism raining down on us.”
Man Utd News 24/7
There is a town in Norway called Hell. But also another one called Paradis. The latter for Ole Gunnar, as Molde is only 45 minutes from qualifying for the Europa League…
Ah, the juvenile satisfaction of first…
Hell or Heaven, we should top this group if we do not take it lightly like we did last year!
Sunny side down?
Is there a Turkish Man Utd Supporters Club?
unbelievable
Happy with that group. But after last season we shudnt take anything for granted.
We could use some of that intensity at Old Trafford.
Bunch of tough guys hey? Hopefully they’ve matured since then.
Ole Gunnar is in the Europa League after a solid 4-1 over Heerenveen, 5th in the Eredivisie last year.
@ Scott the Red
with all due respect mate, but that picture is taken of the AIK Solna supporters from Stockholm, Sweden!:)
Ceterix paribus!!!
We should top this group…
Hpy for ole~legend
Hell…welcome to Manchester United
Galatasaray support is amazing. Saw them on footballs biggest rivalries. They took that shizzle to another level.
@DreadedRed, no, there isn’t one, but the away turnout will probably be high.
The times have changed in Turkey, as in England. Galatasaray now has a 55.000-capacity, modern stadium with expensive tickets (not as expensive as United tickets obviously), flares are banned, hell, even smoking is banned. I’ve been to OT for the WBA game last season, and was surprised to see little to none security check, while in Turkey, you’re not even allowed to bring coins into the stands, the security will pick them up if they find it. Expect a huge, loud and pressuring crowd, but don’t expect anything scary.
And by the way, the photo is not from Galatasaray stands.
Léon
Thanks for that refreshing news! The crowd will still be a shock to our youngsters, but that is all part of the learning curve they need to accelerate. I hope the police are not heavy-handed with our traveling fans.
What will the airport, the hotel, training, and the street be like?
You pick the wrong image Scott, Galatasaray UltrAslan wearing Red and Yellow….they look like Fenerbache fans
@DreadedRed, no problem mate. As for the police, well let’s just say that everybody in the country fucking hates them these days, but I guess they won’t be a pain in the ass to the tourists. If you’re thinking of coming, keep in mind that taunting is taken very seriously here, so try to avoid that.
Everything else about Istanbul is pretty much the same as any big city in Europe, don’t get too far away from the city centre, try to avoid risky areas and you’ll be just fine.
@Jesnaldo!
Hell yes, u are right!
Hate those kind of opponents though. Matches are no way near sexy, and everything but a victory in all games will make hell brake loose on this forum. And we are not very good at overcomming “lesser” teams these days. It will be a thriller in the group stage like last year.
We get a tough group while citeh get it easy! Ah well, Viva Ronaldo, Viva Ronaldo……
That pic is of AIK – Stockholm’s fans!