UCL: United are back in the city where everyone wanted to slaughter them 30 years ago

A traumatic trip to Istanbul three decades ago helped the great Sir Alex Ferguson realize what was needed to turn Manchester United into a formidable European force. The wise Scotsman succeeded as he led the Red Devils to glory in the 20 seasons that came afterwards. Tonight, Erik Ten Hag faces a make-or-break game at Turkish champions Galatasaray in an attempt to salvage anything from their Champions League adventure.

United, who are currently bottom of their group, are still only one point away from second place. In their last game, they were unable to keep the crowd out of the game during their 4-3 loss in Copenhagen. It's worrying to think how Ten Hag's players will react to the fanatic crowd in the Turkish capital.

Bayern has already secured their place in the last 16 as group winners. If Manchester United lose to Galatasaray, they will not be able to finish in the top two. If they lose and Copenhagen beats Bayern, Manchester United will be confirmed in fourth place and will miss on European football altogether.

So, where does this fear of Turkey come from?

In November 1993, Manchester United faced an intense atmosphere in Istanbul ahead of their Champions League clash against Galatasaray. The trip was marked by high tension right from the start, as fans gathered at the airport to greet them with a raucous welcome, carrying intimidating banners and creating a daunting environment. The sense of intimidation remained even as the team reached their hotel, which, though a grand former palace, did not provide a tranquil escape from the charged atmosphere.

The disruptive incidents didn't cease. Instead, they seemed to escalate. Players' rooms were constantly disturbed by phone calls, hindering any chance of a peaceful night's rest. Defender Gary Pallister, in particular, had a chilling encounter when a bellboy made a throat-slit gesture as he walked past. The creepy incident was an eye-opener to the unique challenges of playing in a hostile environment like Istanbul. However, nothing could quite prepare the English team for what they'd find at Galatasaray's old stadium.

The game itself ended goalless but was far from uneventful. Eric Cantona's red card added to the tension, leading to post-match chaos as he remonstrated with the referee and other altercations ensued. But the unpleasantness didn't end there. Over 160 fans were detained in the middle of the night and prevented from attending the game, while back in Manchester, the team bus was attacked with a brick.

This entire experience served as a pivotal learning curve for Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad. It showcased the unpredictability and hostility often encountered on the Champions League travels, especially when playing away in an intense atmosphere like that in Turkey. Despite the challenges faced during the trip, the lessons learned ultimately benefited the team, playing a part in their 1999 Champions League triumph at the Nou Camp.

As Manchester United prepare for tonight's game, past experiences clearly say: focus on controlling the game rather than letting the hostile atmosphere dictate proceedings. Retaining possession, avoiding errors, and neutralizing the crowd's impact will be crucial for the team to maintain composure and perform at their best amidst the fiery environment.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Group stage - Matchday 5

Wednesday

20:45: (2.80) Galatasaray (3.40) Man.Utd. (2.65)

20:45: (2.65) Sevilla (3.40) PSV (2.80)

23:00: (1.25) Bayern (7.00) Copenhagen (12.0)

23:00: (1.33) Arsenal (5.10) Lens (9.50)

23:00: (2.20) Braga (3.45) Union Berlin (3.25)

23:00: (1.90) Real Madrid (3.70) Napoli (4.40)

23:00: (2.75) Benfica (3.30) Inter (2.60)

23:00: (1.52) Sociedad (4.10) Salzburg (6.50)

***odds are subject to change***