MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 08:25:28| >> :120:4721:4721:

Galatasaray supporters 'welcome' Manchester United to Istanbul

Galatasaray fans 'welcome' United
© PA Photos
Manchester United are forced to leave the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul through a separate terminal after almost 1,000 Galatasaray fans come to 'welcome' them.

Almost 1000 Galatasaray fans went to the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul to 'greet' the Manchester United squad ahead of their Champions League clash on Tuesday.

The Turkish fans tried to force their way to the United team amidst the chaotic scenes, as Sir Alex Ferguson and his players had to leave the building through a separate terminal.

Police used tear gas to stop the crowd from becoming dangerous and causing any damage, with Galatasaray's football director Abdurrahim Albayrak asking the fans to behave sensibly.

"In every aspects, we are a top class club," he said. "We had to welcome our opponents warmly, not in that way.

"After my reminder, our supporters understood the importance of welcome and calmed down.

"[Manchester United] hosted us with respect and our first aim is to repay their hospitality."

Ferguson added that this time was not as "frightening" as it was in 1993 when United were greeted with 'Welcome to Hell' banners.

"Yes, absolutely," he said. "We dodged it, we came underground!

"We didn't get the meeting from the fans this time, but in 1993 it was incredible and quite frightening.

"We have been here a few times now, though, and are now used to the Turkish atmosphere. It is fanatical, but it is no issue for us."

United have already progressed to the last 16 as Group H winners with four wins out of four.

ID:55442: cacheID:55442:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2484:
Written by
Subhankar Mondal
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A smiling Alex Ferguson before kickoff
Read Next:
Ferguson targets win in Turkey
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
3Arsenal20117239182140
4Chelsea21107441261537
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Bournemouth219753225734
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!