Manchester United survived a scare from Galatasaray to win their opening Champions League game in Group H thanks to Michael Carrick’s early goal.
The Turkish side were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty when Nemanja Vidic fouled Umut Bulut.
Carrick put United ahead after a neat move but they saw Galatasaray hit the woodwork three times as Nani saw a weak spot-kick saved by Fernando Muslera.
Darren Fletcher came off the bench for his first game after 11 months out.
And the return of their influential midfielder for the final 11 minutes, following a long lay-off with an inflammatory bowel condition that had seemingly threatened his career, was by far the best thing about United’s evening other than the three points.
Although they held on to give Sir Alex Ferguson his 100th win as a manager in Europe’s elite club competition, United brought up the century with a performance that was a long way below the glittering standards they have set in the past.
