Thirty years after Manchester United left Galatasaray with their Champions League hopes in tatters on one of the most notorious nights in the club’s history, they will return to “hell” for another do-or-die clash on Nov 29.
The Red Devils sit bottom of Group A and will be eliminated if they lose to Galatasaray in their penultimate fixture.
It is a predicament that brings back painful memories for United players and fans who ran the gauntlet of hate in Istanbul back in 1993.
Finally crowned English champions the previous season, United were confident of a long run in their first European Cup campaign since 1969.
A surprise 3-3 draw against Galatasaray in the second-round, first leg at Old Trafford put that ambition in peril, but even then United were not fully aware of the cauldron that awaited them in Turkey.
They were greeted at the airport by thousands of Galatasaray fans, one waving the infamous banner that said “Welcome to Hell”, while others threw missiles and menacingly drew their fingers across their throats.
Alex Ferguson, United’s manager then, described the intimidation as being “exposed to as much hostility and harassment I have ever known”.
Denne historien er fra November 29, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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