Manchester United start Champions League campaign with win

Manchester United have started their Champions League campaign with victory, after beating Galatasaray 1-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Patrice Evra, Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie returned to the Red Devils’ starting line-up after missing the 4-0 rout of Wigan at the weekend, but it was Michael Carrick who opened the scoring after seven minutes.

The score remained the same until full-time with Nani missing a second-half penalty, and Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that he is pleased to start the European campaign with victory.

“I think we expected a tough game. Galatasaray have a lot of experience,” the legendary Scot told Sky Sports.

“In the first half we kept giving ball away and we let them counter-attack. But second half we were much more solid at the back, they never made any chances and we could have scored four or five.

“But it was a good open game and good, old European game. They were confident in their play and possession and you get that with these European teams and that is not a problem, you just have to be patient – and with the chances we missed we kept ourselves on the edge.

“Getting three points first is the most important thing – three points is important and with Cluj beating Braga it sets up a really interesting game,” he concluded.

United will now travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League.

By Gareth McKnight