Besiktas 0-1 Manchester United: Scholes Header Seals Three Points

Paul Scholes

Prior to this game, Manchester United had won only once in their last four trips to Turkey, but they turned that into two from five, owing to a header by Paul Scholes with less than 15 minutes to go.

After a lengthy unbeaten run in the Champions League, ending in a bitter defeat against Barcelona in the final of this competition last season, the visitors began their quest for European glory with some edgy play. Besiktas capitalised on the nervy start, but the end result never came.

But the Red Devils found their footing before long, as Michael Carrick unleashed a long range strike was dealt with by Hakan Arikan, prompting the referee to signal for a corner.

Both teams were cancelling each other out through most of the game, but the experience and capability of grinding out the results paid off eventually, as the Premier League club managed to break the deadlock with less than 15 minutes before time. A shot by Nani was parried by the goalkeeper, which arrived on a silver platter to Scholes, who easily headed the ball home.

Besiktas 0-1 Manchester United
Scholes 77 (M)