A brilliantly executed Arjen Robben volley sent United crashing out of the Champions League after Rafael had been sent off early in the second half.
United came flying out of the traps and Darren Gibson had opened the scoring after only 3 minutes as he fired home from a Wayne Rooney pass. Nani then made it two shortly after with a delicate flick from a Valencia cross. The ever confident Portuguese winger then drilled home a third and United looked out of sight, but Ivica Olic gave the German’s hope just before half time. Rooney who was a shock starter for United was taken off midway through the second half after he appeared to limp away from a Daniel Van Buyton challenge. Then after Rafael Da Silva had been sent off for a second bookable offense, Bayern piled on the pressure and Robben’s spectacular strike proved too much for the 10 men of United.
Rooney’s shock inclusion added to the atmosphere pre kick off and the fans sparked an explosive United start as Darren Gibson found the net after just 3 minutes. The Irishman who is known for his long range strikes was laid off by Rooney and then was seen reeling away in celebration as his powerfully low drive flew past the unsighted Butt from the edge of the area.
United were giving Bayern no time to breathe and Rafael was keeping Ribery quiet whilst Evra was doing the same to Robben. Four minutes later United’s persistent hustling paid off as they won the ball high up the field. Valencia tormented Holger Badstuber jinking to and fro before crossing expertly for Nani to mimic Joe Cole’s flick that helped sink United at the weekend. The Champions were flying.
Rooney was then deliberately chopped down by Van Buyton and appeared to limp away grimacing in the process. Fergie’s gamble to play Rooney which had looked a master stroke was now looking a mistake as all of England held its breath. Luckily he gave the thumbs up to the United bench and carried on.
Rafael almost made it three just after the half hour mark when he was released by Gibson only for the youngster to shoot wide with Rooney and Nani open to his left. Bayern then finally threatened as Van Der Sar was forced to block with his legs as the hardworking Olic was played through.
However, that only spurred United on to add to their lead. The excellent Nani grabbed his second and United’s third 4 minutes from half time. Valencia was again the creator as he was released by a quick thinking Rafael throw in. The ever impressing Valencia lobbed the ball over the onrushing Demichelis and pulled the ball back for Nani to fire into the roof of the net. United were literally ‘head over heels’, as Nani entertained the crowd with his flamboyant back flip celebration.
It was a energetic opening half from United who never gave the German opposition a sniff. However, as we know, United never do it the easy way and a minute from the end of the first half, Ivica Olic shrugged off the covering Michael Carrick before narrowly slotting past Van Der Sar from the tightest of angles – game on.
That raised Bayern’s confidence and seconds later Van Der Sar did well to turn an Arjen Robben strike around the post.
Into the second half came the big turning point. Inexperienced , yet eager to continue his silencing of Ribery, Rafael criminally pulled the flying Frenchman back under the referee’s nose. The Bayern players were quick to surround the referee who dually obliged and gave the youngster his second yellow card. It was going so well for United, who were cruising at 3 – 1, but the momentum had shifted.
Ferguson replaced the tiring Rooney who may still have been feeling the effects from the earlier Van Buyton challenge, with the returning John O’Shea. United had no option but to absorb pressure and try and play on the counter. First Ribery tested Van Der Sar with a ferocious volley from the edge of the area which the Dutchman did well to beat away. Then Mario Gomez nodded his header on to the top of the crossbar. At the other end Evra released hat-trick bound Nani, who raced half the length of the pitch only for Butt to palm away.
Bayern’s possession increased, nails were at the bone as the United defence got deeper and deeper. The decisive strike arrived 16 minutes from time and what a strike it was. In Germany the combination of Robben and Ribery are often referred to Robbery and United must be feeling well and truly mugged as Ribery’s corner was precisely floated onto the left boot of Robben who volleyed a wonder strike from outside the area past the on reaching Van Der Sar.
There would be no repeat of the dramatic 1999 antics as Bayern calmly saw out the match losing 3 – 2 on the night, but advancing to the semi finals via the away goals rule, where French outfit Lyon await.
United’s exit means there are no English sides in the Champions league Semi Final’s for the first time in 7 seasons. It’s Germany one England nil heading to the world cup.
What i found to be really funny on the night was Fergie blaming Germans.Ribery is french and Van Bommel is dutch.Another one of Fergies many mistakes on the night.