Champions League

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Nov 20, 2012 at 7.45pm UK

Galatasaray Galatasaray
1-0
Man Utd Manchester United

Manchester United fall to defeat in Turkey

By Liam Power, Reporter | 20 November 2012

Manchester United fall to their first European defeat of the season at the hands of Galatasaray thanks to a header from Burak Yilmaz.

A youthful Manchester United side failed to prevent Galatasaray earning a crucial Champions League victory in Turkey tonight.

Man Utd's Phil Jones battles Nordin Amrabat of Galatasaray on November 20, 2012 © AP Photos

United were forced to defend for the majority of the first half but nearly took the lead minutes before the break through Nick Powell.

The starlet met Tom Cleverley's corner perfectly on his maiden Champions League start, only to see his header crash off the crossbar.

Galatasaray stepped up the intensity after the break and took the lead on 54 minutes through Burak Yilmaz.

United thought they had averted danger when Anders Lindegaard turned a powerful shot from Felipe Melo behind with his save.

From the resulting corner Yilmaz reacted quickest to steer home from close range.

The home side nearly extended their lead when Emmanuel Eboue's deflected drive forced Lindegaard into a smart stop.

Hamit Altintop went agonisingly close to putting the result beyond doubt late on, unleashing a piledriver from distance which cannoned back off the bar and bounced clear.

Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Ashley Young and Federico Macheda in the closing stages but they failed to stop United slipping to their first European defeat of the season.