Man Utd 0 - 1 Besiktas: Besiktas stun under-strength United

Published on Wednesday 25 November 2009 22:44

MANCHESTER United, already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, only needed a point against Besiktas last night to top Group B. In the end, Sir Alex Ferguson's men slumped to a surprise home defeat, their first in the tournament since 2005, stretching 24 games.

Rodrigo Tello scored the decisive goal and even though Ferguson's much-changed side had the majority of possession they lacked a cutting edge.

Besiktas were grateful to goalkeeper Rustu in stoppage time as he made two superb saves from Federico Macheda and Wes Brown in quick succession.

United still have a three-point lead over Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow but the final match against the Germans remains decisive as last year's finalists aim to take top spot and secure a more favorable draw in the last 16.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson refused to be too downbeat about the loss, however.

"I think we were a bit anxious but it's not a bad thing – they're young and you expect them to make mistakes," he said. "It was a stellar performance in terms of the flow of the game. We've shown some really good things and that's encouraging, but at the end of the day we just didn't get the result we needed."

With qualification for the last 16 assured, United were looking to top the group and Ferguson rang the changes. Only Nemanja Vidic, Wes Brown and Rafael remained from the team that beat Everton on Saturday. Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda were paired in attack.

With CSKA Moscow beating Wolfsburg earlier in the day, United needed only a point to top the group. The odds were in their favour as they went into the match on the back of a 23-match unbeaten home run in the Champions League. United were on the offensive from the start, with Gabriel Obertan racing away in the second minute after being released by Park Ji-sung. Obertan got into a good position but opted to deliver the cross instead of testing the goalkeeper and the ball drifted out of play.

United almost took the lead four minutes later when Rustu failed to hold Park's shot and Macheda looked favourite to get the rebound. However, he lost his balance and the chance went begging.

They kept up the pressure and Rustu did well to tip over a shot from Darron Gibson that took a deflection in the 13th minute.

Gibson and then Macheda both saw shots go wide of the post in quick succession before Besiktas opened the scoring.

Rodrigo Tello tried his luck from 30 yards and his effort dipped and bounced beyond the recalled Ben Foster to stun United, who had been in the driving seat until then.

United responded in the 26th minute and Welbeck whipped in a shot but Rustu was equal to it. Four minutes later the goalkeeper parried Obertan's shot after the French winger had been released by Welbeck.

United stepped up the pace and were anxious to get back in the game before half-time. Gibson then raced forward in the 38th minute only to send his effort from 25 yards over the bar. The Irish midfielder turned away in frustration at failing to test Rustu.

Besiktas, however, should have extended their lead three minutes later but Michael Fink squandered a good chance. He failed to test Foster from the edge of the area, sending his effort wide of the post.

It was another warning to United just how dangerous Besiktas were on the counter attack. Given that they had only picked up one point in the group the visitors were showing a good deal of confidence.

United kept pushing forward but went into the second half keen to turn things around against a side without a win in the group. And the hosts carved out a good chance in the 56th minute when Gibson released Park on the edge of the area. The Korean, who has just recovered from a knee injury, got a good touch only to send his effort wide of the post.

United were struggling to find their rhythm with some of their inexperienced players looking short of confidence. Obertan, however, got the crowd going when he went on a surging run on 60 minutes but Rustu turned his effort round the post.

Two minutes later Obertan saw his header end up on the roof of the net following a cross from Welbeck in a better spell for the home side.

Besiktas were forced to make a change in the 65th minute with Ibrahim Toraman carried off after taking a blow to his face. He was replaced by Erhan Guven.

United manager Ferguson made his first change of the game three minutes later and brought on an extra striker. Michael Owen was drafted into the action alongside youngsters Macheda and Welbeck.

With United chasing the game, Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra came on for Gibson and Rafael in the 73rd minute.

It was a frustrating time for the home side with Besiktas defending in depth and in numbers. Evra had an appeal for a penalty turned down by referee Stephane Lannoy after claiming he was blocked and Ferguson vented his anger at the decision on the touchline.

United kept pressing but Rustu made two superb saves in stoppage time from Macheda and Brown to give Besiktas their first win in the group.

Manchester Utd: Foster, Neville, Vidic, Brown, Rafael Da Silva (Evra 73), Obertan, Gibson (Carrick 73), Anderson, Park (Owen 68), Macheda, Welbeck. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher.

Besiktas: Recber, Kas, Ferrari, Toraman (Guven 67), Uzulmez, Fink, Ernst, Dag, Tello (Inceman 75), Koybasi, Bobo (Karadeniz 84). Booked: Karadeniz, Recber. Subs not used: Celikay, Rodrigo Tabata, Yusuf Simsek, Zengin.