Nani of Manchester United celebrates as he scores their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Manchester United and Bursaspor Kulubu at Old Trafford.Alex Livesey
Winger Nani's early strike gave Manchester United a 1-0 win over Bursaspor in Champions League Group C on Wednesday as a subdued Old Trafford digested striker Wayne Rooney's confirmation that he wanted to leave. Portugal international Nani broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when he turned and ran towards goal before unleashing a fine curling shot from 20 metres out.
United dominated possession and had the better chances, with defenders Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra going close, although against a better class of opponent they would have been made to pay for some patchy defending.
The build-up to the match had been dominated by Rooney who said on Wednesday that his future lay away from Old Trafford. The injured England striker did not play against Bursaspor.
Victory kept United top of the group with seven points from three games, while Turkish champions Bursaspor remain rooted to the bottom with no points.
Alex Ferguson, marking his 2,000th match as a professional soccer manager, had made five changes from the team that drew 2-2 against West Bromwich Albion in the league at the weekend, with 19-year-old Federico Macheda spearheading the attack.
The young Italian had the first chance of the game in the fourth minute but his shot was well blocked by visiting keeper Dimitar Ivankov but three minutes later the Bulgarian had no chance against Nani's blistering solo effort.
United controlled the first half but showed moments of the vulnerability at the back that has been causing them concern in the domestic season, allowing Bursaspor decent counter-attacking chances for Federico Insua and Ozan Ipek.
Vidic could have doubled United's lead but sent his header wide, while Michael Carrick sent a shot flying high over the bar.
Right back Rafael and left back Evra were often so far forward that United had only two defenders for large periods of time and were lucky that the Champions League debutants seemed to panic when they found space.
Evra forced a save from Ivankov on the hour with a tight-angled drive from the left and Nani was on target again midway through the second half with a right-footed shot from the edge of the box.
Substitute Gabriel Obertan headed just wide at the near post seven minutes from time and Javier Hernandez fired inches wide late on but United could not find the net and just managed to hold on to their slim lead.
While the football was often less than exciting, in the stands Turkish fans made the most of the trip with choreographed scarf waving, jumping and arm movements that looked like an aerobics class and kept them warm on a chilly evening.