âThe tale of how the club’s first venture into the Champions League ended in a shock elimination at the hands of Galatasaray on away goals is one of pure intimidation
It is 30 years since Manchester United were welcomed into hell.
âThe tale of how the club’s first venture into the Champions League ended in a shock elimination at the hands of Galatasaray on away goals is one of pure intimidation. Sir Alex Ferguson described the second leg in Istanbul as being “exposed to as much hostility and harassment as I have ever known on a football expedition.”
âFrom the moment United’s squad were greeted at the airport by thousands of manic Galatasaray fans, some of them waving banners that said âWelcome to Hell’, Ferguson and his players were threatened and abused. Even the Turkish police played their part. Eric Cantona was attacked by one officer after being sent off for allowing his frustration to explode at the end of the goalless draw that sent United crashing out.
âWhen Bryan Robson came to his rescue, he suffered a cut arm that required six stitches after being thrown down the steep concrete steps in the tunnel that led to the dressing rooms. “I never want to go back there again,” admitted Ferguson.