02 November, 2010

No Mercy for Bursaspor; United Cruise in Turkey

Sitting at the bottom of Group C in the Champions League, the Turkish champions, Bursaspor, have had a rude introduction to the CL format.  After four matches, the Turks have a grand total of 0 points.  Their stadium, Ataturk Stadia, is a rough place to play with the fan base akin to the Colosseum in Rome.  They stand for the entire match (and hours before) berating the opposing side.  United's first goalscorer, Darren Fletcher, called the atmosphere "exciting"...as was his first goal.
United had run the match for the first half, but had no goals to show for their efforts.  Directly after the half, Fletcher slotted home to put the Reds on the board.
When United hotfoot, Nani, left the match in the 29' complaining of a knee injury, Sir Alex chose Ji-Sung Park to take his place.  He didn't disappoint as he teed up Gabriel Obertan's goal in the 73' minute to effectively eliminate the Turks.  Four minutes later Bebe scored his first Champions League goal in a Red shirt when Paul Scholes fed him a brilliant pass that the Portuguese flicked with the outside of his foot.  United 3-0 Bursapor.
Atop Group C with 10 points, three points clear of second-place Valencia, United can seal a berth in the Knockouts with one more point.

Darren Fletcher makes it 1-0


...and celebrates!


Patrice Evra controls the backline


Gabriel Obertan fights for the ball...


...and makes good with a goal in the 73'


You can see all of the goals here courtesy of Republik of Mancunia.

The win was somewhat tempered by injuries to Nani and Fletcher.  The latter's seems to be minor, but the former's knee was involved...that's never a good sign.

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