Sir Alex Ferguson bemoaned his side's first half performance, but was satisfied to see Manchester United play better in the second half as the Red Devils hung on for a crucial 1-0 victory over Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Michael Carrick scored the only goal of the game for United in the seventh minute, with Nani missing a penalty, which might have proved costly, had Galatasaray taken their chances.

"I think we expected a tough game. Galatasaray have a lot of experience," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"In the first half we kept giving the ball away but in the second half all the chances fell to us and we could have had four or five. They were very confident in their play and possession. You get that with these European teams.

"You just have to be patient and make sure that when you get possession you make it count, and with missing the chances we did in the second half, we keep ourselves on the edge.

"To get three points in the first game is a bonus. With Cluj beating Braga away, it sets up a really interesting next match.

"There was a lack of concentration at times and it's unusual for us to be as frivolous with the ball. In the second half we were more solid."

Match-winner Carrick acknowledged the fact that getting all three points was vital, after United suffered an exit after the group stages last year. "It's vital we got off to a winning start after last year, really," the England midfielder said. "It was vital we won at home, especially against a good team -- and they really are a very decent team.

"They kept possession very well. At times I thought we defended well, especially in the second half when we limited them to possession without really hurting us. That was a good sign for us.

"They counter-attacked on us quite well and were a bit of a threat, but we nullified that in the second half and overall we can be happy. We've played some good stuff and we've won the game."

The missed penalty by Nani was United's third failure from the spot this season, after Robin Van Persie and Javier Hernandez missed penalties in the English Premier League, and Carrick admitted Ferguson would have a few words to say about the situation.

"He's probably got something to say, but thankfully each one we've missed, we've won the game and hopefully next time we get one we'll put it away," he said.

The 31-year-old picked up his first Champions League goal in three years, and the midfielder could have stayed down and received a penalty instead of tucking the ball in, after Fernando Muslera tripped the United player.

"It's hard, you know, I don't get many so when the chance is there... obviously you can go down and stay down and there's a chance maybe of him getting sent off, but we've missed three penalties now so maybe taking the chance was the right one."