United exited the Champions League in heartbreaking fashion, as Bayern Munich reached the semi-finals despite losing an enthralling encounter at Old Trafford.Darron Gibson's early strike and a brace from Nani put United 3-0 up on the night after 41 minutes, only for Ivica Olic to quickly reduce the arrears before Arjen Robben hit a superb – and pivotal – second away goal for the Germans 16 minutes from time.United, who had Rafael sent off for two bookings five minutes into the second half, were seemingly home and hosed after a breakneck start to the evening, but Bayern's 2-1 first leg victory in the Allianz Arena laid the foundations for an unlikely turnaround.
The harsh denouement to the evening was a far cry from the rousing manner with which United had started the game. For all the pre-match tub-thumping about raising the Old Trafford roof and providing a soundtrack to inspire Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, far more inspirational was the shock inclusion of Wayne Rooney.
Eight days of hysterical speculation could finally die down, as the team sheets confirmed pre-match whispers that United’s talisman would play a part after his battle with ankle ligament damage. Alongside him, Rafael and Darron Gibson replaced Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, while John O’Shea made a welcome return to the bench after his long battle with a complicated leg injury. Bayern could also count on reinforcements, as Robben won his own high-profile race against time and Bastian Schweinsteiger returned from suspension. To accommodate them, Hamit Altintop and Danijel Pranjic dropped to the bench.
Predictably, given the late personnel boon, Old Trafford was abuzz prior to the first whistle. Less than three minutes in, the Theatre of Dreams was a citadel of sound. Rafael superbly rolled off the attentions of Frank Ribery and curled a pass infield to Rooney. He instantly laid off to Gibson and sped towards goal, expecting a return pass. Instead, the young midfielder advanced and powered a low 25-yard shot inside Hans-Jorg Butt’s near post.
The home support erupted, and wild scenes of celebration were replicated in evermore feral fashion just four minutes later as the Reds’ lead was doubled. Again Rooney was involved, spreading a glorious pass wide to Valencia, and the Ecuadorian teased Bayern right-back Holger Badstuber, twice shimmying to cross before firing in a flat delivery which Nani impishly backheeled just inside Butt’s right-hand post.
Eight days earlier, Bayern had recovered from an early concession to overcome United in the Allianz Arena. Two down inside seven minutes and completely under the cosh, the odds were stacked against Louis van Gaal’s side. Not that they were helping themselves. Butt was extremely fortunate that his shanked clearance was not punished by Michael Carrick, who had to fashion space before shooting just off target with his left foot ... read more ...
