Manchester United travelled to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray this evening knowing that they had already topped Group H of this year's Champions League.
Sir Alex Ferguson was able to try out some less experienced names in the hostile Turk Telecom Arena and his second string almost came away with a point.
The game was settled by the prolific Buruk Yilmaz, who headed home a corner in the second half to claim all three points for the hosts and put them in pole position to join United in the last 16.
Read how it all unfolded in our minute-by-minute live coverage below.
Evening folks. Let's get straight to the teams...
Muslera, Nounkeu, Semih Kaya, Eboue, Hamit Altintop, Selcuk Inan, Felipe Melo, Riera, Amrabat, Elmander, Burak Yilmaz
Lindegaard; Rafael, Jones, Carrick, Buttner; Anderson, Cleverley, Fletcher, Powell; Hernandez, Welbeck
As expected, Ferguson has named a fairly inexperienced lineup while there's plenty of familiar faces in the hosts XI.
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is one of the top Uruguayan stoppers. In front of him there is former Arsenal man Emmanuel Eboue, former Real Madrid midfielder Hamit Altintop, Brazilian international Felipe Melo, former Liverpool winger Albert Riera and once of Bolton - Johan Elmander.
For the visitors, Nick Powell makes his Champions League debut in midfield alongside Anderson, with Michael Carrick captaining the side in the heart of defence next to the returning Phil Jones.
Even though the two big names of Van Persie and Rooney are not featuring tonight, the duo of Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck certainly know where the goal is.
These two met in the first round of matches at Old Trafford and the match was settled by a Carrick goal early in the match. Galatasaray came out of that one feeling hard done by as they hit the woodwork three times and had what looked like a clear penalty turned away.
United will certainly need to look out for Burak Yilmaz tonight. The forward scored all three goals in the last round of games when the Turkish club saw off Cluj.
As always on Champions League group nights, there's seven other matches taking place...
From a British perspective, Chelsea travel to Turin for a crucial match in Group E while Celtic go to Benfica looking to secure an unlikely qualification to the knockout stage.
Apologies for the slight delay. Back to the other games and the big news from Turin is that Fernando Torres misses out for Chelsea. You can open up a new tab and follow our live commentary of that one with my colleague Liam by clicking here.
Apologies for the slight delay. Back to the other games and the big news from Turin is that Fernando Torres misses out for Chelsea. You can open up a new tab and follow our live commentary of that one with my colleague Liam by clicking here.
We also have text updates of Celtic's match against Benfica. A win or score draw would be enough for the Bhoys to progress to the knockout stage. Follow that one with Michael Penkman by clicking here.
Back to the game in Istanbul and I'm really looking forward to seeing Nick Powell and how he'll cope in such a hostile match. I still think he's scored the best goal yet at the new Wembley for Crewe Alexandra earlier this year.
If you just refresh the page manually you should now be able to see the video. 15 minutes until kickoff.
Galatasaray go into this match joint top of the Turkish Superliga while United's defeat at Norwich on Saturday leaves them a point behind Manchester rivals City in the Premier League.
Time for my prediction and I really can't see United winning so I'm going to say a score draw or perhaps a narrow home win.
Here's some words from Ferguson on the returning Phil Jones: "It is a big night for Phil Jones but he has been training very well and I think this is the right time to play him.
"The atmosphere is very intimidating but if we keep possession hopefully we can kill it."
"The atmosphere is very intimidating but if we keep possession hopefully we can kill it."
Tonight's referee Carlos Velasco leads the two sides out into the brutal atmosphere of the Turk Telecom arena.
The home side are in their classic red and yellow tops and red shorts while United are in all-white. Just a couple of minutes until the off!
Galatasaray get us underway.
First chance of the match goes United's way as Welbeck gets on the end of a stray pass and squares for Cleverley, whose shot is deflected into the gloves of Muslera.
United's midfield looks like a diamond, with Fletcher at the base, Anderson and Cleverley the middle two and Powell at the tip.
SHOT! Mishit pass from Jones lands at Yilmaz's feet and the United defenders back off allowing the frontman a hit at goal which Lindegaard has to beat away.
The atmosphere really is something special. So, so intimidating.
Neat build-up from United as Powell feeds Welbeck but the Englishman's cutback can't find a white shirt and Galatasaray manage to scramble clear.
First booking goes to Kaya for a horrible lunge on Buttner. Could have easily seen red, both feet off the ground.
Goal in Portugal and Celtic are behind early on against Benfica.
It's died down a little in Istanbul but United are doing more than enough at the moment.
Amrabat's shot is heading goalwards but Carrick flicks over. From the resulting corner, Yilmaz can't quite leap high enough to nod home.
In the other match in Group H there's already been three goals. Cluj lead Braga 2-1 and as it stands the Romanian side are going second.
First United booking goes to Rafael for a lunge. Dangerous free kick to the hosts...
CHANCE! Yilmaz is once again the man up for the header but he can't keep it down. Better from the home side.
Melo has been particularly strong in the tackle and he brings down Cleverley for a United free kick.
The hosts break through the pace of Amrabat but he can't quite find Yilmaz at the back post.
High foot from Anderson on Riera means a free kick for Galatasaray right on the touchline.
Goal in Portugal! Celtic equalise as Samaras heads in unmarked at the back post.
Anderson's free kick is almost guided goalwards by Hernandez but that's good defending.
Goal in Turin! Chelsea are behind to Juventus as Andrea Pirlo's scuffed shot is diverted in by Fabio Quagliarella.
Goal in Turin! Chelsea are behind to Juventus as Andrea Pirlo's scuffed shot is diverted in by Fabio Quagliarella.
OFF THE BAR! United earn a corner thanks to the hard work of Welbeck and from the set piece Powell rises highest but sees his header crash off the crossbar.
OFF THE BAR! United earn a corner thanks to the hard work of Welbeck and from the set piece Powell rises highest but sees his header crash off the crossbar.
Riera's cutback is cleared away by Carrick from right near his own goalline.
Galatasaray 0-0 United
As expected, quite an easy-going opening 45 minutes in Istanbul. Hopefully the second will be much livelier.
Elsewhere, Juve lead Chelsea 1-0 while Celtic are holding Benfica.
United get the second half underway.
Powell has a go from distance but slices horribly. We really haven't seen much from Chicharito tonight.
GREAT HIT! Riera collects a loose ball 30 yards from goal and volleys well. Lindegaard does excellently to hold on to it.
Lovely turn on the edge of the area by Anderson doesn't result in a chance as he is dispossessed upon entering the box.
SAVE! Melo draws the best out of Lindegaard as the keeper stops the Brazilian from almost point blank.
GOAL! GALATASARAY LEAD! YILMAZ!
From the resulting corner, Inan's delivery is met by Yilmaz, whose header is too near the top corner for Rafael on the post to head clear.
The Turk Telecom Arena is absolutely rocking now. When Melo had seen his previous header saved the Brazilian worked the crowd up in to a frenzy for the corner and the hosts duly delivered with a goal. Amazing fans.
CHANCE as United break but Hernandez can't get a clean shot away.
Anderson delays and delays before shooting from an angle. Muslera does well to hold it.
Lindegaard looks a little flappy pushing away Eboue's shot but it does bounce away to safety. Just.
Galatasaray make a substitution as Baytar replaces Elmander.
Goal in Turin and it's bad news for Chelsea fans as Arturo Vidal strikes to make it 2-0 to Juve.
Fergie is still yet to make a change. It's quite an inexperienced bench, mind.
Here come the United changes as Ashley Young replaces Anderson and Federico Macheda takes the place of Powell.
Goal in Portugal! Celtic need a score draw to qualify and they've just fallen behind again against Benfica.
Goalscorer Yilmaz is booked for simulation. Disgusting dive.
OFF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BAR! Altintop is set up for a first-time shot and he lashes it off the underside of the bar. Unlucky!
Another sub for the hosts as the pacey Amrabat is taken off for Emre Colak.
Final United change as Welbeck comes off for young Norwegian Joshua King.
Close to an equaliser for United as first Galatasaray scramble clear before Cleverley tees up Hernandez but the little Mexican can't get a clean strike away.
Goal for Juventus! Chelsea are three down in Turin and qualification to the knockout stage is out of their hands.
Yilmaz comes off to a standing ovation for Umut Bulut.
Into the final minute of stoppage time and Macheda is flagged for offside. That'll be that I think.
Galatasaray 1-0 United
The match is settled by Buruk Yilmaz, who has scored every single one of the hosts' goals in Europe this season. It doesn't matter hugely for United as they've already topped the group but that's a huge result for Galatasaray. They move up to second in the group and are most likely to join United in the last 16.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole. Make sure you come back tomorrow evening for the second set of matches from this round. See you then.
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
Pascal Lemesre
