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Vidić relieved after United pass test of nerve

"We were a bit nervous," said Nemanja Vidić of a Manchester United FC side shaking off the hangover of last season's early exit but still strong enough to overcome Galatasaray AŞ.

Vidić relieved after United pass test of nerve
Vidić relieved after United pass test of nerve ©UEFA.com

Nemanja Vidić admitted that the memory of last year's UEFA Champions League disappointments led to a nervy display from Manchester United FC in their opening Group H victory over Galatasaray AŞ. If Vidić was satisfied with the hard-earned win, there was pride in defeat for Hamit Altıntop and Fernando Muslera, who took great encouragement from Galatasaray's display on their return to the UEFA Champions League after a five-year absence. 

Nemanja Vidić, Man United defender
I believe we were a bit nervous because of the experience we had last year. We know how important it is to win the first game and we did it and this is the most important thing. We can move from this game on and work on [improving] our game. They had a few counterattacks and they caused us problems in terms of that but it's because we were nervous.

We knew how important it was to win and sometimes this kind of pressure can cause the problems it caused in the first half today. In the second half we responded, we were a bit better, we had better chances and in the end we should be happy with the game. We got the three points, which is the most important thing.

Nani, Man United midfielder
We created a lot of chances and played some good football. It is very important to start with wins for our confidence and it is nice to see the way we won the game and now we have to keep on working. [For the penalty] I was waiting for the goalkeeper to make a move but he was clever, he didn't move until I chose the side. He made a great save.

Hamit Altıntop, Galatasary midfielder
I think Man U were a little but lucky. But I know every game here at Old Trafford is difficult and congratulations to my team – we were on the same level as [United]. We prepared well with Fatih Terim, we knew it was possible to win – United have a new team and they are not all ready. I know we have a good team, it was a good game but it is finished and I believe we have a good chance to get to the second round.

Fernando Muslera, Galatasaray goalkeeper
We played a good game coming to such a big stadium like Old Trafford and it showed we can go to any ground and play against any team. It should give us a lift for the tests ahead.

United tried to attack us down Antonio Valencia's wing. Valencia is a very good player but Hakan Balta, Semih Kaya and Dany Nounkeu did a good job to stop him. We deserved more, but in football you have to finish your moves off with a goal. They got a goal in the first half and that decided the game.

[For Nani's penalty] he looked at me a lot and stopped a couple of times and he's a player who always hits the ball hard and to the corner. I waited for the last minute and being tall and big, I had the chance to get there. We forced them back a bit [after the penalty] and they had to defend quite a lot and hit us on the counter. It was a very good game – we're pleased. It was the first game for a lot of us in the Champions League.