They were all holding placards that we're gonna die - it was an unusual welcome!

Manchester United's players had been on the ground in Istanbul for a matter of minutes when they got their first taste of what awaited them in November 1993. As Sir Alex Ferguson's squad made their way into the arrivals hall at the city's airport, they were greeted by a deafening din from a few thousand Galatasaray fans keen to greet them. "Welcome to Hell", said the banners as Ferguson, Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, Peter Schmeichel and co put their passports away.

After the two sides had drawn 3-3 in an Old Trafford classic in the first leg of this second-round tie in the Champions League, Galatasaray manager Reiner Hollmann had told United: "They will be waiting for you at the airport". He wasn't exaggerating.

United had needed a late Cantona goal to level the tie at Old Trafford and two weeks later they knew they were in for a wild ride on the banks of the Bosphorus. Ferguson's side had just won the league title for the first time in 26 years but they were still finding their feet back at Europe's top table. The Ali Sami Yen Stadium wasn't a place to visit with your L plates still on.

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The squad arrived in Istanbul on November 2, 1993, and as Mike Phelan recalled, the sense of intimidation was palpable as soon as they touched down.

"We arrived and they allowed everybody into the airport. There was a fair few there," said Phelan. "I think they blocked it off with some glass, Perspex, something like that.

"There was a lot of police there but they were just all shouting, jeering and holding these placards that we're gonna die over there. An unusual welcome, put it that way. But