MANCHESTER, England (Reuters):

MANCHESTER UNITED won a pulsating British derby when they came from behind to beat Celtic 3-2 in their opening Group F match at Old Trafford yesterday.

United equalled their goal tally for all of last season's group games as they came from behind to beat Celtic, who were backed by 6,500 travelling supporters.

Celtic stunned United by going ahead through Dutch international striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink after 21 minutes.

However, Louis Saha levelled from the penalty spot after 29 minutes when goalkeeper Artur Boruc clattered into Ryan Giggs.

Saha made it 2-1 to United after 40 minutes before Japanese midfielder Shunsake Nakamura equalised with a free-kick two minutes before the break.

United clinched victory through substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 47th-minute goal which ultimately proved to be the decider in a superb match.

RESULTS: Group E: Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) 1 Steaua Bucharest (Romania) 4, Lyon (France) 2 Real Madrid (Spain) 0. Group F: FC Copenhagen (Denmark) 0 Benfica (Portugal) 0, Manchester United (England) 3 Celtic (Scotland) 2. Group G: Hamburger SV (Germany) 1 Arsenal (England) 2, FC Porto (Portugal) 0 CSKA Moscow (Russia) 0.

Group H: Anderlecht (Belgium) 1 Lille (France) 1, AC Milan (Italy) 3 AEK Athens (Greece) 0.