Beşiktaş vs. Manchester United

Beşiktaş vs. Manchester United
Champions League, Beşiktaş İnönü Stadium
September 15, 14.45 EST

United Projected Starting XI:
----------------Foster---------------
---O'Shea--Ferdinand--Brown----Evra----
-Valencia---Carrick---Anderson---Nani----
---------Rooney------Owen---------

Players to Watch:
Beşiktaş: Rüştü Reçber - With United most likely dominating the possession, Recber will need to be strong in between the posts. He has had some howlers for the Turkish National team, but also some moments of brilliance. He shined on Turkey's run to the 2002 World Cup semifinals and will almost certainly be called upon to make some big saves for Beşiktaş.

Manchester United: Michael Owen - Owen has not played a match since August 22, but he will most likely make his return against Beşiktaş. Owen has yet to really make an impact with United, starting away in a Champions League match will be the perfect opportunity.

Prediction:
Beşiktaş 0:0 Manchester United

Going away to Turkey is never easy, and I expect Beşiktaş to be up for the occasion. The atmosphere is always brilliant and Turkish teams seem to get very good results at home in the Champions League. After a week of internationals for most of the United squad followed by a tough game at Spurs it will be a very tired side making the trip, despite the high confidence.

Last year United kicked off their Champions League campaign with a nil-nil draw and another repeat scoreless draw would not come as a surprise. United have not had trouble finding the back of the net recently with ten goals in their last three matches, but this may prove to be the toughest away trip in the group for United.

With the derby coming up this weekend Sir Alex's lineup will surely reflect that, one can only hope that the performance won't.