Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has described his side's 1-0 win over Galatasary in the Champions League as a "very important" victory.

Michael Carrick's goal gave the Red Devils the three points, despite there being plenty of chances for the visitors on a nervy night at Old Trafford.

"In the first half we gave the ball away too often and they counter-attacked really well. In the second half, though, we were much more solid at the back, and all the chances fell to us," said Ferguson.

"It was a good opening game, they were very confident in their possession, and missing the chances we did in the second half we kept ourselves on the edge.

"Three points in the opening game are very important, especially when you look at what happened to us last season."

Next up for United in the competition is a trip to Romania to face CFR Cluj on October 2.