Manchester United launch investigation into Old Trafford fiasco after Galatasaray defeat

Around 1,000 Galatasaray fans had home tickets for their Champions League win over Man Utd at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Manchester United is investigating how at least 1,000 tickets for the home match against Galatasaray in the Champions League fell into the hands of away team fans.

The jubilant celebration after the final whistle, after United fans had left, revealed how many Galatasaray fans had made it into the camp to cheer on their team’s famous 3-2 win at Old Trafford.

A large group of fans sat together in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, while hundreds more in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand flocked to join in the celebrations.

There were also a significant number of Galatasaray supporters on the upper tier of the scoreboard and some of them took down part of the banner dedicated to Sir Matt Busby floating above that tier, on which we can read “It is glory and honor,” the great man said.“There is nothing on earth like being an Indian.”

United are launching a full investigation to determine how the first leg tickets fell into the hands of away team fans, but early indications are that the majority of them came through agents ticket sales or through official channels, with UK-based Galatasaray fans able to purchase them tickets for the home section.

These supporters may have purchased a prime membership which allows them to buy tickets at home, or even purchase a hospitality package for the match. Sources at the club said the measures are in place for every European match to “minimize the risk of away team fans entering hospitality areas, including a ban on the sale of tickets for anyone with an address in Turkey.”

But given the large Turkish population in the UK, many Galatasaray fans in the UK may have booked tickets for the match with the locals.