Manchester United has optimistic expectations but also negative recollections ahead of their match against Galatasaray.

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It has been three decades since Manchester United’s memorable journey to Istanbul in a crucial Champions League match. Galatasaray provided a hostile atmosphere that even Cerberus would have admired, and the evening ended in defeat for Alex Ferguson’s team, knocking them out of Europe.

United needed a victory to advance, having tied 3-3 in the first leg at Old Trafford. However, the tense environment in Turkey dampened their performance, resulting in a scoreless draw in the second leg. Eric Cantona was ejected for his frustration with the referee’s decisions and the home team’s tendency to waste time. After the match, there was a scuffle in the tunnel involving United’s players and riot police, highlighting the intimidating nature of the trip. Several United players were unable to handle the intense and noisy atmosphere.

The upcoming game on Wednesday is not a decisive one, but the situation is still quite similar. If Manchester United loses to Galatasaray, their Champions League journey will once again end early. However, if they win and Copenhagen loses to Bayern Munich, they will have control over their fate in the later stages. The atmosphere at the stadium will be reminiscent of 30 years ago, as the home fans will be aware that a win could lead to a crucial showdown for advancing with Bayern. Knocking out a club as prestigious as Manchester United would only add to the joy for the opposing team.

In 1993, the United team was facing a steep learning curve. It marked their first return to the top tier of European football in 24 years. While many players had experience winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990-91, this was a significant step up. They managed to defeat Honved, but it took a last-minute effort from Cantona to avoid a deficit before heading to Istanbul. Upon arrival, they were met at the airport by a large group of Galatasaray supporters, creating a deafening wall of noise and displaying the infamous “Welcome to Hell” banner.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Pallister, who was unable to play due to injury, recalls their initial Champions League experience and the expectations of advancing. He mentions the intense hostility of the crowd, which was unlike anything he had encountered in his career. Reflecting on the experience, he couldn’t imagine anything more challenging.

After three decades, United is heading to Turkey with the knowledge that their performance in the Champions League has not been impressive in recent years. Their victory of 3-1 against Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 in 2018-19, after losing the home leg 2-0, remains their only successful crucial match. However, in the 2020-21 season, they were eliminated after losing their last two group games. Similarly, in 2015-16, Wolfsburg defeated them in the deciding group match, resulting in their elimination.

In recent Champions League matches, Manchester United has struggled to handle pressure, especially during their visits to Istanbul. The team has encountered various difficulties, such as a bell boy threatening Pallister, McClair being disturbed by a cleaner banging on his ceiling at night, and other players receiving multiple disruptive phone calls while trying to sleep. The current squad must be ready to face similar malicious tactics.

United has shown minimal growth in recent years, continuing to make the same mistakes in Europe’s top competition. It wouldn’t be a shame to be defeated by a strong Galatasaray team, especially with Erik ten Hag missing important players, but if the worst does happen, everyone must use the experience to become stronger. Despite the outcome, it will be a learning opportunity for facing the challenges of the Champions League.

Six players from United’s team that was unsuccessful in 1993 ended up winning the competition six years later. “It brought us together,” recalls Mike Phelan, who played as a central midfielder three decades ago. “Winning the Cup Winners’ Cup elevated us and we had a strong sense of camaraderie and belief that we could become a top team. Going into the Champions League was a defining moment where we had high expectations – the journey was incredible and propelled us to even greater heights.”

I believe it’s necessary to go through certain moments in order to understand what it takes. In a game of football, there are events that occur during the match and in the preparation beforehand, so it’s crucial to experience all of these things if you want to achieve success.

The victory over Everton on Sunday was highlighted by the outstanding performances of two young players, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Garnacho’s goal, a spectacular overhead kick, was a standout moment, while Mainoo also stood out in his first full Premier League game. This could potentially lead to him starting in the upcoming game in Turkey and gaining valuable experience in European football.

Next to them are athletes who have triumphed in challenging situations. However, if they believed that Goodison Park was inhospitable, they will be caught off guard on Wednesday and must come up with ways to support each other. If they are unable to do so, they will have to accept the experience and use it as a lesson for the future.

Source: theguardian.com