Besiktas fans get the atmosphere going
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has admitted the noise in the Inonu Stadium in Istanbul on Tuesday night was so loud he "could not hear himself think", let alone communicate with his defenders.
The Red Devils emerged 1-0 victors from their opening Champions League Group B clash with Besiktas thanks to Paul Scholes' second-half header.
Even though only 32,000 were present, at times the stadium seemed as though it had been engulfed in a wall of noise.
Communication, Foster pointed out, was totally impossible.
"It was deafening," said the 26-year-old.
"I have never played in an atmosphere like it.
"There was a point in the second half when the fans were chanting and I couldn't hear myself think.
"It is a bit of a frightening and disorientating experience. You cannot talk to your defenders and they cannot talk to each other.
"It is strange and hard. They were shouting things to me and but I just told them there was no point because I couldn't hear a thing."
Although it might not quite be the same, the atmosphere should still be a bit tasty on Sunday, when big-spending Manchester City come to Old Trafford seeking to extend their 100% start to the season.
It will be Foster's first taste of derby day. But he is acutely aware of how much the occasion means to both sets of supporters, particularly as City are now emerging as rivals for major honours as well as dominance within Manchester itself.
"It is always the way that United want to beat City and vice versa, so the situation this season is no different," said Foster.
"But with the money they have been spending it does add a little bit of spice to it all. They have got off to a good start so it will be tough but we seem to have come into a bit of form ourselves.
"Hopefully that will be good enough."
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