Man Utd vs Galatasaray: Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Manchester United get their champions league campaign under way as they welcome Galatasaray to Old Trafford on Wednesday night. 

Sir Alex Ferguson will lead his side out for a record 17th consecutive season in the champions league but will be looking to avoid a repeat of last years fiasco which saw United fail to get past the group stages, despite a relatively favourable draw. If you liked to bet on nfl football you’d have got some great odds of United not qualifying from that group last year, that’s for sure!

Fergie has admitted they underestimated the opposition last term by fielding weakened sides and stressed there would be no repeat this year, and the Scot is expected to play his strongest side against the Turks.

However, United will need to improve upon their recent poor record in Europe, having won just three of their last eleven matches and losing four from the last five.

Galatasaray return to the champions league after a five year absence and go into the game in good form having won three of their four league games so far this season.

Team News

United are set to recall striker Robin van Persie after the Dutchman was rested for the weekend’s 4-0 win over Wigan.

Defender Patrice Evra is also expected to return to the starting line-up after he also missed Saturday’s action with a minor knock.

David de Gea is pushing for a recall but Fergie may decide to stick with Anders Linegaard between the sticks. Antonio Valencia and Shinji Kagawa should return while Tom Cleverley and Jonny Evans also also in contention to start.

United are still without Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, who remain on the sidelines.

Galatasaray will be without the injured defensive duo of Tomas Ujfalusi and Sabri Sarioglu, but Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo – on loan from Juventus – is likely to play despite a minor knock.

Umut Bulut is expected to partner Elmander in attack after hitting five goals in four games so far this season.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t take failure very well so we should expect United to be going all-out to ensure they secure qualification from the group stages as quickly as possible. Despite Galatasaray’s impressive domestic form, we can only see a home win here. Man Utd 2-0 Galatasaray.

What would your team be? What do you think the score will be? Get involved in the comments section.

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