Manchester United’s hope of double of Champions League and Premier League ended after thrashing out from the UEFA Champions League despite a win over German giants Bayern Munich.
Wednesday night was full of drama at Old Trafford and many unexpected things happened with a bottom line that Bayern Munich secured a place in semi finals of Champions League after winning on away goals rule. The first leg at Munich ended 2-1 for the home side on last week. So Bayern visited Manchester with 2-1 lead on aggregate but United were having the advantage of away goals.
On Wednesday night the entire world has witnessed a great drama at Old Trafford in which Manchester United won the game 3-2 but can’t make to the semi finals.
United boss Sir Alex Fergusson stunned everyone by including Wayne Rooney in the first eleven. Another shocking inclusion was Gibson.
United equaled on goals on aggregate just three minutes after the start when Gibson scored to ensure United to go ahead if the match will not see any further goals. Score changed after seven minutes from kick off again in the favor of home team when Nani scored on an assist from Valencia.
Nani scored again just four minutes before the half time and score line became 3-0 for the home team. It was looking to be a similar game of Champion’s league that United have won 7-1 over AS Roma in 2006-07 season. That time also United were behind by 1-2 after the away leg, but in the home game United battered Roma 7-1 to ensure their position in the semi finals that year.
Olic scored just before the half time and signaled a threat for United, from this point Bayern were just one goal behind going to Champions League semi final. At the half time it was clear that there is a lot more action to come.
Second half started and United showed a cautious approach and Rafael was booked second time in 50th minute and was sent off. This really changed things around and Sir Alex Fergusson was forced to add more to defending options in order to deny any other goals from Bayern. So he substituted Wayne Rooney and send O Shea who played his first game in nearly five months. Bayern were full on attack with Schweinsteiger, Ribery and Robben in the midfiled with Olic and Gomez upfront. In 74th minute a wonder goal came from a volley from Arjen Robben and that goal created the difference between the two sides.
The final score remained 3-2 in favor of Man Utd but it was not enough to take them into last four of Champions League.
This is first time in nearly seven years that none of the English club has reached the semi finals of this competition.
Some people may question about Rooney’s inclusion, in spite of injuries, in the team. Alex Fergusson started with lots of experienced player on the bench and many young bloods on starting line up like Rafael and Gibson. He preferred Scholes and Giggs on bench with Berbatov and O Shea. Squad captain Garry Neville was not even on the bench. This approach from Sir Alex Ferguson was a little uncharacteristic because in past we have seen him having faith on experienced players in big games. On the other hand this may be due to the fact of weekend game against Chelsea.
This match will be among most beautiful defeat for the German Giants. Their calculated approach was enough to seal a place in the last four and they will play Lyon in the semi finals.
