Preview: Manchester United vs. Galatasaray

Manchester United begin their Champions League campaign in the group phase with an opening home battle against Turkish side Galatasaray.

The Red Devils will be hoping to improve on last season's campaign, which resulted in an early exit from the group stages, but Red Devils midfielder Ryan Giggs believes that Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa will prove to be vital additions in Europe.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to keep Alexander Buttner in defence as Patrice Evra continues to recover from a knock, while Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick are expected to hold the midfield.

Wayne Rooney remains sidelined with a thigh injury, which is likely to hand Van Persie a starting spot ahead of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim will be unable to call on defender Tomas Ujfalusi, who is suffering from cruciate ligament damage, while former Bolton Wanderers forward Johan Elmander should start up front as part of a forward three.

Recent form:

Manchester United: LLWWW Galatasaray: WWDWW

Manchester United: Lindegaard; Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Buttner; Scholes, Carrick; Valencia, Kagawa, Nani; Van Persie

Galatasaray: Muslera; Eboue, Cris, Kaya, Balta; Melo, Inan, A Yilmaz; B Yilmaz, Elmander, Amrabat

Sports Mole says: 2-0