Manchester United have got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start with a narrow 1-0 victory over Galatasaray at Old Trafford.

The hosts were lucky not give away a penalty inside 30 seconds when Nemanja Vidic brought down Umut Bulut in the area. However, the referee waved away the Turkish appeals.

United made the breakthrough minutes later as Michael Carrick exchanged passes with Shinji Kagawa before rounding the goalkeeper to slot in.

Despite going behind, Galatasaray weren't afraid to attack and came close to an equaliser when Nordi Amrabat's effort clipped the top of the crossbar.

Both teams continued to surge forward in what was an entertaining opening 45 minutes and United nearly grabbed a second but for Fernando Muslera's save from Antonio Valencia.

The home side were lucky not to concede again towards the end of the half as Hamit Altintop's free kick came off the post before going out for a goal kick.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men had the chance to double their lead at the start of the second half when they were awarded a penalty for Aydin Yilmaz's foul on Rafael. Nani stepped up to take the spot kick but saw it saved by Muslera after a stuttered run-up.

The Turkish side went in search of an equaliser and hit the woodwork for a third time as Selcuk Inan's header came off the post from Altintop's cross.

David de Gea was then forced to make a low save from Emre Colak's goalbound shot.

There was a huge ovation from the Old Trafford crowd with 10 minutes to play as Darren Fletcher came off the bench to make his first senior appearance for United in over 10 months following illness.

There was a late penalty shout for United when Valencia was brought down in the area by Emmanuel Eboue but the referee's assistant inexplicably failed to give the spot kick.