Besiktas 0 United 1

Stuart Mathieson

September 15, 2009

WINNER: Paul Scholes celebrates his goal

MANCHESTER United secured an opening Champions League victory against Besiktas thanks to Paul Scholes' second-half header in Istanbul.

The game looked to be heading towards a stalemate but when Besiktas goalkeeper Hakan Arikan could only parry Nani's shot away, Scholes was on hand to head home after 77 minutes.

There were precious few other chances in a tight game, with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson electing to start with just Wayne Rooney up front.

The goal came after Rooney and Michael Carrick were taken off for Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen. Nemanja Vidic was booked late on for kicking the ball away.

Quiet man and publicity shunning Scholes just cannot keep himself out of the headlines.

On Saturday he was in the spotlight for his controversial red card at Tottenham and the villain but here the silent assassin silenced the official noisiest crowd in the world.

The 34-year-old hadn't scored a Champions League goal since his memorable strike against Barcelona in the 2008 semi final that put the Reds through to Moscow.

As well as the noise the Reds also had to contend with one idiot in the stands who dangerously attempted to dazzle United's players with a laser pen. It added to the intimidating conditions they had to contend with. The noise was unrelenting and even the Reds attempts to bring some composure to the frenzy with spells of keep ball were met with ear piercing whistles.

Champions League debut

But it was United who were the more threatening in front of goal with a Carrick stinger from 30 yards out forcing a save from keeper Arikan who the kept out a clever glancing and looping back header from Champions League debutant Antonio Valencia.

There was a scare for United when Besiktas had their first attempt on goal in the 26th minute as Ozkan's shot deflected off Jonn Evans and almost dropped over Ben Foster. The keeper was grateful to see the effort land on top of his net and not in it.

Despite the lesson dealt by Barca in Rome on how to remain in possession United still cannot rid themselves of their penchant for playing too many eye-catching Hollywood balls that surrendered the advantage.

But overall it was a relatively comfortable opening half.

With Besiktas displaying reasons why they hadn't been able to score a goal in the last 270 minutes of Turkish league it wasn't long into the second half before Fergie decided he could throw away the cautious plan of one man up front and look for a winner.

He brought on Berbatov and Owen but having spent such a frustrating night on his own in attack Rooney was clearly unhappy that he wasn't going to get the chance to enjoy some of the evening with some much needed assistance as he was replaced to bring the two subs on.

The England striker had a face like thunder as he passed the United boss and received a pat on his back for his selfless efforts. It certainly didn't seem to appease the 23-year-old as he chucked his boots off in a fury.

But even if Rooney wasn't happy to be the victim of the master plan it worked as United took the game to the Turks and 14 minutes after the double substitution the Reds were justifiably ahead though it was neither the Englishman nor the Bulgarian hitmen who made the breakthrough and saw the Reds home in the start to a tricky Group B.

What is your verdict on the action? Have your say.

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pkenro,kenya (15/09/2009 at 21:48)

what a horible game

red (15/09/2009 at 21:49)

poor selection. poor game. right result, just. now what was the name of the other team?

danny, WILMSLOW (15/09/2009 at 21:50)

Fergie said he knew what was wrong against Barcelona,so why did he not learn.
Poor Rooney up front on his own for most of the game,taken off then he decides to put two up.
Just one thing for sure even if Carrick gets a run of 150 games he will still be rubbish just hope he and Park wear the wrong studs.
Valencia looked wooden Tosic would have been better.
Vidic Evra Anderson top marks Neville Scholes not bad either Berbatov and Owen did ok in their 5 mins Nani ok however the team looked like they were playing with the weight of Fergies shackles around their ankles.A win in Turkey is good but entertainment value nil.

Sam Davis (15/09/2009 at 21:51)

A win is a win and I will take it. First the positive, good to see Anderson play two games in succession. The boy needs games. Evra and Vidic good again as usual. Oh! I mentioned that we won so that is a positive. Now the critical part, Can someone tell me where Michael Carrick has gone? He use to be an integral part of the team but he is just dismal now. He just looks out of it. Which brings me to Valencia, he should just cut his left leg off and leave it in the hotel for all the good it does him. This has nothing to do with comparing him to Ronaldo but he just looks out of place at United. Maybe he will play himself in to contention.

Alias Smith, over the moon (15/09/2009 at 21:54)

Good professional performance. 3 points, clean sheet, job done. Expect gripes about the fact we didn't go gung-ho but that's normal after an away night in European.

Unusual formation from Fergie with Carrick deployed behind Rooney. Didn't expect to see Anderson and Scholes in the starting line-up after playing the full 90 minutes on Saturday but both played very well and I was thrilled for Scholesy in scoring the winner.

Encouraging performances from Valencia and Nani too. If SAF had played 442 and Berbatov instead of Carrick, perhaps we would have made more of Valencia's crosses.

I bet Rooney reacted like that every night when his Mam called him for his tea!!

davmac, manchester (15/09/2009 at 21:56)

A win in Turkey is a superb result. United always begin campaigns tentatively and always play better against classier opposition. They didn't play that well and won. It's what it's all about.

davmac, manchester (15/09/2009 at 21:58)

Belt up, Danny, Wilmslow. My great-great granny knows more about football than you - and she died in 1930!

manu expert (15/09/2009 at 22:08)

i said it from day one that why are we buying a average player in valencia from wigan? this guy will be another big money waste from dumb fergie. does he ever learn? we needed placios but fergie bought valencia!

what happend to carrick? he used to be decent but now he looks a total waste.

berbatov not starting another big game why? owen i think is totally finished, no pace or conviction.

we really are looking very average without ronaldo. fergie said they watched valencia for two season's so what did they exactly see in him?

Frank Old Trafford (15/09/2009 at 22:10)

What a load of, well just think of all the words that the carmelite nuns who censor this site wouldn't allow! 3 points, I couldn't give a, well .......................

Fergie hasn't a CLUE, Madoc Ontario Canada (15/09/2009 at 22:19)

Well done lads. Horrible team, horrible tactics. Fergie obviously learned SFA in Rome. Thank God for satelite, so at least there was some decent football to switch between, in case one forgot the importance of what was happening in Turkey. Thank God we were playing a no name team, because they did play the more attractive football. Well done Scholesy, definitely my man of the match. Worst player on the park, Valencia. Anyone see Rooneys tantrum after his substitution? He will be the next one wanting to go because of Fergies crap.

Robbo, N2409, M16 (15/09/2009 at 22:22)

I see the Alias 'crap performance rapid reaction force' has kicked into gear.

Ps No doubt you thought Michaela Strachan was 'quietly effective'. He doesn't run, he doesn't pass, he doesn't close down... what exactly does he do??????

BazzatheRed, Mancs living in Cyprus (15/09/2009 at 22:27)

will never understand playing 2 wingers but only one striker !, please never play Rooney alone up front again !!, otherwise enjoyed a warm evening & local beer in Cyprus !!

Happy Valley Barry, San Francisco, California (15/09/2009 at 22:28)

Alias Smith, over the moon
Good comment and I'll bet your right about Rooney the boy. Except to say
he probably ate rocks, ran hills for dessert and had no team with his mum!
Up the Reds!

dog hardy, manchester (15/09/2009 at 22:32)

Danny you are a prize prat.1st game away Europe,win,who cares about entertainment.What an absolute spoilt baby Rooney is.Can,t he see he might burn himself out,and is no one entitled but him to play .Can,t wait,and it will surely happen,when Capello takes him off for the good of the team.He,ll have a benny and Capello will cut him to size.Good but not world class and Fergie if hes not retired will get rid of him Too big for his boots

ENGINEER, Heywood (15/09/2009 at 22:51)

Well a very boring game but good to get the 3 points, but Carrick needs to go I have never seen a player pass the ball back as much as he does. Rooney need a kick up the backside for his reaction to being taken off, he is needed for the city game and with a reaction of throwing his boots down could have cost him a place in the team for sunday as fergy does not take petulance very well.

Alias Smith, over the moon (15/09/2009 at 22:52)

Robbo, LOL, really trips off the tongue that A.C.P.R.R.F.!

No idea who Michaela Strachan is - would that be like a cross between Gordon Strachan and Michael Carrick?? Doesn't bear thinking about! Anyway, if you are suggesting that Carrick was quietly effective, I'd have to disagree. If you'd actually read what I'd posted rather than going straight into Alias Comment Rapid Disagreement Mode, you might have discerned that!

Mrs Fullaway`s lodger (15/09/2009 at 22:58)

danny, WILMSLOW @ 2150.

Just one thing for sure even if Carrick gets a run of 150 games he will still be rubbish just hope he and Park wear the wrong studs

Did you write that? That was funny. If you wrote that on your own then there is still hope!

RED ARMY 1999, swinton (15/09/2009 at 23:30)

If we are totally honest then you would say it was a dis-jointed 90 mins. Ok I will except its job done and 3 points etc etc....but and its a BIG but....we have alot of average preformers in our side. It seems we have bought alot of average players over the last two seasons with not much progression made - this is apparent when fergie has to reley on the old guard to bring some quality and stability to the side. Be totally honest..are players like park valencia anderson nani really top class players or are they nothing more than squad members - would you be that sad if they left? Lets not forget fergie spent millions on these players (park excluded) but im not seeing enough promise and fergie knows this hence so much reliance on giggs and scholes - was it not fergie who said "giggsys days as a winger running up and down the left are finnished" well think again. Can anyone honestly hand on heart say we are better equipt to challenge in Europe this year? look im not saying its easy to replace the players that left BUT this is one of if not the biggest club in the world and we need world class players to go forward......not another squad player.

Hughesie, Manchester (15/09/2009 at 23:43)

Not the best performance I've ever seen but 3 points in the bag now all we need is to win our home matches. I can understand some peoples frustrations regarding the attacking side of United's game tonight but remember Berbatov, Fletcher and Giggs did not play. On another note, how impressive were the Besiktas fans. That's what I call non stop singing, a bit like my mates team FCUM! Andy Gray got over excited about them though!

Cyprus Red, Cyprus (15/09/2009 at 23:43)

I cant believe some of the comments on here tonight. Sorry guys, it just shows your complete lack of football knowledge. The object of European away games is to get the required result which believe it or not we did. Three points in the bag. Besiktas had ten men behind the ball for most of the game. For attractive football like we had on Saturday, both teams have to want to play. If you want entertaining football I suggest you transfer your allegiance to West Brom. They play great football but just don't get the results. Great teams know how to grind out the right result and tonight was one of those occasions.

Kryten, Red Dwarf (15/09/2009 at 23:46)

I wonder if some people would have preferred a rip roaring performance full of excitement but a gallant defeat.

britus (ex-pat), Oregon, USA (16/09/2009 at 00:00)

I am just relieved that Utd got 3 points. I realize it was an away game and in Turkey facing enthusiastic fans, but come on, Besiktas were very ordinary and our tactics made us look the same. I understand a cautious approach but for heavens sake let's try and get out of 2nd gear from time to time.

alan matthews (16/09/2009 at 00:20)

What happened to the team that played at Spurs on Sat???

RedHeart (16/09/2009 at 00:34)

I don't believe Rooney's dummy spit was because he thinks no one but himself is entitled to play. I feel it was a frustrated reaction to having to play upfront alone and then when help arrives in Berbatov , he's removed for Owen. I don't condone the reaction but knowing Rooney's mentality, understand his frustration.

Look, Turkey is a hard place to play in so the win is good. The priority is to qualify. With that said, you can play yourself into a habit. If we continue to play football like that, that is likely to be the sort of matches and play we will endure. We do need to lift our game. That sort of poor play won't cut it as things progress. I know it's a long season and everything must be measured and somewhat contained but we can't use that as an excuse all the time for non cohesive play. At some point we have to step up and play the kind of football we are capable of and show others watching that we are not walk overs.

red (16/09/2009 at 00:49)

should have rested rooney rather than upsetting the lad. he can't do it all alone upfront. needs to control that temper. these days with three subs it's hard for anyone to get 90 minutes consistently. glad evans was on the field. he needs matchplay. we need to play evans as a midfielder alongside anderson. vidic and rio at the back and then pull one of them after 60 minutes, evnas drops back and a fresh midfielder comes in. most of the rest are only good for thirty minutes anyway. fergie screwed it up for me.

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