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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Will Unwin

Manchester United face Galatasaray with high hopes but bad memories

Eric Cantona is escorted from the pitch after he was sent off at the end of the match against Galatasaray in November 1993. Manchester United drew 0-0 and went out on away goals
Eric Cantona is escorted from the pitch after he was sent off at the end of the match against Galatasaray in November 1993. Manchester United drew 0-0 and went out on away goals. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

It is 30 years since Manchester United’s most famous trip to Istanbul with Champions League elimination on the line. Galatasaray created an unwelcome hell that Cerberus would have been proud of and a night of sin ended with Alex Ferguson’s side being dumped out of Europe.

United, realistically, required a win to progress after drawing 3‑3 in the first leg of the second‑round tie at Old Trafford but the atmosphere in Turkey subdued the visitors and the second leg stuttered to a goalless draw. Eric Cantona was sent off late on for his frustrations with the referee and the home team’s addiction to timewasting. There was a post-match melee in the tunnel involving the United squad and riot police as the trip ended like it began – with intimidation. Many of United’s team froze, unable to deal with the ferocious and vociferous atmosphere they faced.

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