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Manchester United experienced Turkish delight last
night when a dire game destined for a 0-0 draw was
transformed by Paul Scholes late header, the Ginger
Ninja scored his 143rd career goal for the Reds on
route to a perfect opening matchday in the Group B
of this seasons European Cup.
With Rio
Ferdinand feeling the effects of a groin
injury & SAF using his depth of squad there was no
room even on the bench for Fletcher, Giggs or O'Shea
as the boss kept an eye for the big clash on Sunday
with Man City.
Opting
for the now familiar 4-3-3/4-5-1 in Europe, SAF
employed Rooney central with attacking width in the
form of Nani and Antonio Valencia & in a difficult
game Rooney saw most of his action as a lone
frustrated front man regularly being caught offside.
Void of
clear cut chances, United saw possession a plenty
especially Valencia out wide who gave United flashes
of why SAF bought him as he teased Ibrahim Kas
sending some sufficient crosses into the penalty
box.
The Turkish Champions throughout the game work
tirelessly & limited United's time & space,
making it most difficult to break down the
passionate supported outfit.
Restricted to 1/2 chances Rooney, Nemanja Vidic &
Carrick gave keeper Arikan little in the way of
trouble and a congested midfield area saw much
action away from goal, that was until Besiktas went
close when Ozkan was given time to run at United's
defence before blasting a shot off Jonny Evans'
thigh.
United's
Ben Foster wrong footed by the deflection could only
turn, pray and hope that the ball wouldn't unkindly
loop into the net, much to to England keepers
pleasure Foster watched the ball go wide and the
game stayed equal.
With a
containing & disciplined performance by the home
side & both sides failing with attacking verve , it
was a welcome end to the 1st half of a poor game of
football when the Italian referee blew his whistle.
In the
second half a dangerous ball front Nani was almost
converted by Michael Carrick when the England
midfielder in the home team penalty area failed with
any power or accuracy on his shot & thus making an
easy save for Arikan.
For once
Scholes managed a perfectly timed tackle when he
foiled Ozkan when the Turkish forward saw a chance
to shoot.
Ben
Foster then saved from Rodrigo Tabata before Antonio
Valencia broke through seeing his cross cum shot
travel wide of goal.
United
even though chances were in short supply looked the
more likely side to break the deadlock especially
after both Berbatov & Owen were introduced (much to
Rooney's displeasure) and some ten minutes later
United finally broke the dullness with a goal.
Nani who
frustrated most of the night with all aspects of his
delivery, finally found the target with a hard shot
which Hakan Arikan in the home sides goal parried
away & on his 1st visit into the box was 1st to
pounce as he headed the rebound inside the post.
However
Rooney's sulk was short-lived when the White Pele
was seen celebrating United's goal.
Late in
the game Michael Owen found space but only managed
to stab his close range effort wide before the final
whistle & three points.
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Article by Mark Graham, Editor, Record Keeper & Official
Reporter @ MUFCINFO.COM.
Scholes (77 mins).
