Ryan Giggs is no stranger to hostile receptions, having played for Manchester United for over two decades. However, one memory still lingers quite vividly in the midfielder's mind - United's European trip to Galatasaray in 1993.
Manchester United face the Turkish team in their Champions League opener Wednesday, and Giggs reminisced on an unforgettable experience. The Red Devils were welcomed "to hell" in their second-leg match against Galatasaray, which ended 0-0 and eliminated the English side on away goals, after a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford.
The night will however, be forever remembered for the fanatical Galatasaray fans and an altercation involving United player Bryan Robson and the local police.
"I remember it vividly," Giggs told the club's official website. "It's one of those memories that will always stick with you.
"When we arrived at the airport, there were all the banners and thousands of fans screaming at you. There were things thrown at us when we were driving away on the coach, fans outside the hotel chanting all night making sure we didn't get any sleep and people phoning the hotel rooms. It had everything.
"But they were a good team and a good club. It is a fantastic game to be involved in, especially away from home. It is an atmosphere a lot of the lads won't have witnessed before.
"The atmosphere back then was something I tried to enjoy as much as I could. The manager told us to go on the pitch and sample the atmosphere. The fans had been in the ground for hours and hours so it was buzzing 90 minutes before kick-off.
"We were stood in the middle of the pitch watching the fans chant. It was one stand to another. It was a brilliant atmosphere if I am honest but obviously the game didn't pan out the way we wanted.
"They were a good team then and they will be a good team now."
Manchester United, however, will be the overwhelming favorites when they host Galatasaray at Old Trafford, and Giggs knows nothing but a win will satisfy Sir Alex Ferguson, after United were eliminated in the group stages last season. "We need to win our home games and perform at home," he said.
"We usually say 10 or more points gets you through so if you win your home games and try and draw away from home, you are usually through.
"We didn't manage it last year and didn't perform at Old Trafford the way we have done in the past. We want to try and rectify that."
Giggs also backed Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa to shine in Europe for their new team, like they have already in the English Premier League. "Robin has the experience of playing in Europe with Arsenal," the 38-year-old said. "The goals he has got will hopefully give us that extra edge this season.
"Shinji is that kind of player who will thrive in Europe, where possession is key. He keeps the ball. He gets into positions where he is hard to pick up. I am sure they will both be good additions."