Red Devils crash and burn in ‘Hell’

Galatasaray 1 Manchester United 0

Burak Yilmaz’s second-half goal was enough to give the Turkish side a deserved win and take them to the brink of qualification for the knockout stage.

United defender Phil Jones bemoaned the defending which gave the Istanbul side their victory.

“We should have switched on and dealt with that ball,” said Jones. “We got punished at a set-piece which is not our game. We shouldn’t have.”

United’s position in the last 16 was already confirmed so the damage, beyond any sustained as a result of the ear-splitting din, cannot be compared to the tumult that unfolded on United’s first meeting with Galatasaray in Istanbul 19 years ago.

But for untested youngsters such as Nick Powell it may prove a valuable part of their footballing education. At 18 years and 242 days, Powell became the second youngest Englishman to feature for United in the Champions League after Kieran Richardson.

It was little wonder Powell took a bit of time to get used to the surroundings. But when Tom Cleverley drifted a corner to the far post late in the first half, Powell rose confidently to power a header against the crossbar. Moments later, an intelligent run into the box almost got him on the end of Javier Hernandez’s curling cross.

Defensively United were solid, with Jones impressing on his first appearance of the season.

Indeed, Anders Lindegaard had only one notable save to make, turning away a curling effort from Hamit Altintop. But that all changed after the interval.

Former Liverpool man Albert Riera tested the Dane’s reflexes with a long-range effort before Lindegaard did superbly to tip Felipe Melo’s firm header over the bar. The visitors were caught napping at the corner though, with Yilmaz finding room on the edge of the six-yard box to steer his header into the net.

The goal extended United’s unhappy statistic of conceding the first goal in 12 out of 17 Premier League and Champions League games.

Ferguson tried to revive his troops with the late introductions of Ashley Young, Federico Macheda and Joshua King, but it was all to no avail.

On a disappointing night, Jones impressed as he looks to force his way back into the team. “I’ve had a torrid six months in and out of the team and fitness,” he said. “I was delighted to get 90 minutes and I hope I can push on.”

GALATASARAY: Muslera, Eboue, Kaya, Nounkeu, Riera, Altintop, Inan, Felipe Melo, Amrabat (Colak 81), Burak Yilmaz (Bulut 90), Elmander (Baytar 63).

MAN UTD: Lindegaard, Rafael, Jones, Carrick, Buttner, Anderson (Young 74), Fletcher, Cleverley, Powell (Macheda 74), Welbeck (King 85), Hernandez.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain).