Manchester United failed to win during their three visits to Galatasaray, most recently in November 2012 when they lost by a clean sheet in the group stage (Getty Images)

30 years after leaving the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul, dragging behind him the disappointment of exiting the Champions League, in one of the worst nights in Manchester United's history, the latter returns tomorrow to "hell" when he visits Turkey's Galatasaray in another fateful match in which he tries to avoid exit.

The Reds go into the game at the bottom of Group A and will end their campaign early if they lose again to the Turkish side, who shocked them in the second round by dropping them at home 2-3.

The United face the fifth and penultimate round memories of November 3, 1993 when the "Red Devils" bid farewell to the continental competition on goal difference scored away from home (3-3 away), after being satisfied with a goalless draw in the stronghold of the Turkish club.

United, coming from a campaign that led them to the Premier League title, believed their first run in the competition since 1969 would be long even after settling for a draw at home.

Galatasaray fans usually turn their stronghold into hell for the visiting team (Getty Images)

But he did not expect to live "hell" in Istanbul even before his players set foot on the pitch, as he was greeted by thousands of Galatasaray fans at the airport with hostile chants and a very expressive banner that read "Welcome to hell."

The United manager at the time, Scottish legend Alex Ferguson, described the intimidation he and his players experienced as "the biggest hostility and harassment I've ever experienced".

But that was only the beginning of the nightmare, as United, who were clearly affected by the volcanic atmosphere at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium, failed to achieve the desired result and Galatasaray held on to a draw, knocking the English side on goal difference away from home.

As before the match and during the match, the end was also chaotic, with French star Eric Cantona attacked by a Turkish policeman with a baton after being sent off after the final whistle.

"Tea Party"

When United midfielder Bryan Robson tried to save Cantona, he injured his arm and needed six stitches, after falling down the concrete stairs leading to the dressing rooms.

United midfielder Paul Ince spoke about what he and his team-mates experienced that evening, saying: "The hate was unbelievable. Even the police started fighting with us. I remember a police officer hitting Eric on the head."

For Red's other player, Gary Ballister, the atmosphere in United's games at Anfield, home to local rivals Liverpool, looked like a "tea party" compared to what they experienced in Galatasaray.

The United bus was stoned as it walked off the pitch, prompting a shocked Ferguson to shout: "I never want to go back there."

But he had to return there just a year later to meet the Turkish team in the group stage, and again failed to find the net to settle for a goalless draw, which later contributed to the end of his career early by finishing third in the group behind Sweden's Göteborg and Spain's Barcelona.

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Galatasaray's stronghold has been a "house of horror" for United, who have failed to win during their three visits to the Turkish side, most recently in November 2012 when they lost by a clean sheet in the group stage.

Although the Ali Sami Yen Stadium was closed in 2010, visiting the banks of the Bosphorus remains one of the most difficult tasks in European football.

There is no doubt that the enthusiasm of Galatasaray fans will not be less than it was 30 years ago, especially as the team is fighting to catch Bayern Munich to the final of the main continental competition, leaving United with a very daunting task on Wednesday in front of more than 52,<> spectators.

Source: Agencies