Manchester United 1 Galatasaray 0: match report On the back of last season's group stage write-off, when Ferguson's team were eliminated by the relative lightweights of Benfica and Basle, memories of Galatasaray's hold over United in the mid-1990s merely underlined the perils of underestimating supposedly less illustrious opponents at this level. Galatasaray infamously claimed United's scalp in the European Cup first round in 1993-94, when Eric Cantona clashed with baton-charging Turkish police in the Ali Sami Yen Stadium following an away goals defeat, while a 0-0 draw in Istanbul the following year helped deny the English team a place in the knockout rounds of that season's competition. Ferguson conceded in his programme notes that any mention of Galatasaray is enough to trigger "cold sweats" at Old Trafford, but Champions League defeats on home turf against Fenerbahce and Besiktas also emphasised United's frailties against Turkish opposition. Lessons have been learned since last season's early exit, however, and the weakened teams that have contributed to United dropping points at this stage are, according to Ferguson, a risk that the manager is unwilling to take again. The likes of Robin van Persie, Shinji Kagawa, Nemanja Vidic and Michael Carrick were all in from the start, but it was Galatasaray who started strongest and the visitors should have been awarded a penalty inside the opening sixty seconds. Vidic's challenge on Umut Bulut was typical of the United captain - robust and determined - but television replays showed that he scraped the back of Bulut's heel before diverting the ball to safety. German referee Wolfgang Stark was close enough to see the foul, but instead waved play on, much to Galatasaray's displeasure. United responded, however, and Nani went close to scoring five minutes later after a quick one-two with Kagawa. The Portuguese winger broke into the penalty area, but goalkeeper Fernando Muslera raced off his line to smother Nani's goalbound effort. United broke through one minute later, though, when Carrick scored his first Champions League goal for three years. The England midfielder began the move by playing the ball Van Persie, who returned instantly, allowing Carrick to lay it off to Kagawa. Another swift return ball from the Japanese set Carrick free in the area and although Muslera tripped the United player, he was able to scoop the ball into the net with his left leg - sparing Muslera a certain red card for denying a clear scoring chance. United failed to build on the goal, though, and the edginess which accompanied last season's dismal European campaign resurfaced as Galatasaray repeatedly caught the home napping on the break. Vast gaps between the back four and forward line encouraged Galatasaray forward, with Nordin Amrabat hitting the crossbar and Hamat Altintop twice going close from 18 yards. For a team with such experience, United at times defended like European novices. Rafael, in particular, was guilty of abandoning his defensive duties on countless occasions. Altintop, a member of the Bayern Munich team which eliminated United at Old Trafford in the 2010 quarter-finals, was a constant menace from midfield for Galatasaray. His bursting runs constantly went unchecked and he went close again when he sent a 20 yard shot just wide of David de Gea's right-hand post on 49 minutes. So much for United being different this season. Too often, this was like watching the Europa League defeats against Ajax and Athletic Bilbao with United conceding so much possession. A rash challenge by Burak Yilmaz on Rafael on 52 minutes gifted United a penalty, however, and the opportunity to put the game beyond the Turkish team's reach. Having seen Van Persie and Javier Hernadez fail to score from the penalty spot in United's last two games, though, Nani stepped up to take the ball, yet he completed a miserable hat-trick by allowing Muslera to save his woeful spot-kick. Nani has only just returned to favour after being dropped for an insipid display at Everton last month. Heaven knows how much paint Ferguson stripped off the wall in admonishing the winger on this occasion. Every subsequent Galatasaray near miss would have sent a chill down Nani's spine and Selcuk Inan's 56th minute header, which curled wide of the far post at the final second, deserved to beat De Gea. Nani was also involved in Galatasaray's next chance on 72 minutes when, having been tripped by Johan Elmander, his appeals for a penalty were rejected, leaving the visitors to counter. But for De Gea's heroics, with two crucial saves from Yilmaz and Emre, Galatasaray would have scored the equaliser they deserved. Galatasaray were also denied a 90th minute penalty when Jonny Evans fouled Aydin Yilmaz. United rode their luck and that, at least, is a change from last year.