Manchester United will take to Rams Global Stadium in Istanbul tonight with things that remind them of their trip to Turkey 30 years ago.
That night, the "Red Devils" were also at risk of being eliminated from the Champions League, against Galatasaray. The home team created a "welcome to hell" with the end being Alex Ferguson's team eliminated from the European Cup.
At that time, Man United needed to win to continue after drawing 3‐3 in the first leg of the knockout round at Old Trafford, but the atmosphere in Turkey overwhelmed the English team. The return match ended with a score of 0-0.
Eric Cantona received a red card for expressing his dissatisfaction with the referee, while the home team kept time-wasting. A tunnel fight broke out after a match between Man United players and anti-riot police.
Their journey ends as it began - a threat. Many members of Man United were frozen, unable to cope with the violent and noisy atmosphere they faced.
The match at 00:45 on November 30 (Vietnam time) is not in the knockout round but in reality the scenario does not have many differences. The defeat will once again end Man United's Champions League campaign early, while a win, and the assumption that Copenhagen does not beat Bayern Munich, will help them temporarily win second place in Group A.
Man United will have to face the same atmosphere as 30 years ago, because the home fans know that the victory will bring them closer to the opportunity to continue with Bayern Munich.
Moreover, defeating a famous club like Man United always brings joy to increase many times.
In 1993, everything was just starting at Man United - with most of the squad winning the European Cup C2 in the 1990-1991 season, when they returned to the European top flight for the first time in a 24-year absence.
As soon as they arrived at Istanbul airport, they were welcomed by a crowd of Galatasaray fans creating a noisy wall and a notorious Welcome to Hell banner.
Former defender Gary Pallister, who was injured and had to watch the match from the stands, said: It was the first time we were in the Champions League and were expected to go through the group stage. Hostility, I have never experienced anything like that throughout my career. You look at it and think, it can't get worse.
30 years later, Man United came to Turkey and knew that they had not been convincing in the Champions League in recent years.
The 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2018-2019 round of 16 after losing 0-2 in the first leg at home was the last time they won such a fierce match.
In 2020-21, they lost their final two group stage games and were eliminated, while returning to the 2015-16 campaign, Wolfsburg won the decisive group stage match to defeat the Red Devils.
Faced with recent pressure in the Champions League, United have failed to cope well and have had few more difficult matches than an overnight in Istanbul.
Pallister smiled at a boy at the team's hotel and was rewarded with a finger pointing across his neck. Brian McClair faces a noise on the ceiling of his hotel bedroom, others are constantly interrupted by phones.
The current squad could face similar levels of disruption and need to be prepared.
Man United have not learned much recently, with similar failures in Europe's top league. There will be no shortage of anything to lose to Galatasaray, especially when Erik ten Hag is lacking key players, but if the worst comes to pass, they will need to learn more.
Regardless of the result, this will be a night to learn from the demands of the Champions League.
Former midfielder Mike Phelan said: I think its important to sometimes go through those moments to figure out what to do. There are factors that happen in a match and factors that happen in preparation, You have to experience all of those things if you want to succeed.
The six men of the United team that failed in 1993 have won the tournament six years later...
