It was a match that had everything in the build up, team announcements, the match, the dodgy decisions but most of all some fantastic football by both sides.
The atmosphere on the stretford end was best I have seen since Barcelona visit in 2008 but generally the old ground was rocking and was all set up for a cracking game. I arrived in the pub to find rumours Rooney wasn't going to play but the rumour was fact and Welbeck got the nod for tactical reasons despite some pundits claims that his carear was over!!
It was good to see Ronaldo return to a heroes welcome which seem to phase him a bit as he didn't start too well. The combination of Giggs and Rafael seem to stifle him and his normal fluency was being stopped, also Welbeck was charged with hunting Alonso down and he did this with success and was able to move United forward on the times they attacked.
Both teams started well with Higuain going close after a intelligent run from Ozil and RVP volley went wide after a glorious ball from the man of the moment Ryan Giggs. United a glorious chance when a Vidic header bounced off the post with Lopez beaten but United's midfield were on top with Giggs not wasting the ball and Carrick bossing the midfield.
On the 30 minute mark Higuain had the ball in the net but was ruled out as Ramos had led in with his arm. Lopez was a thorn in the United side and made a double save from RVP and Welbeck but all the reward was a corner. The resulting corner saw Lopez clear with a punch on Vidic head. The second half saw United start well and the goal came early via a Nani cross which hit Welbeck and then Ramos to divert the ball past Lopez for a United lead.
Madrid now under pressure had to come forward and they had a close chance when Higuain cross across the goal was not met by anyone but moments later the game changed. A Nani and Arbeloa clash saw Nani lead in with a high foot but no malice it would appear and the Madrid were content that the ref would deal with it. He did, and sent off Nani! a complete hush around the ground followed by howls of derision at the ref saw United in shock.
United never quite recovered and Mourinho sensing blood sent on Modric who now was enjoying the possession and it was he who scored a long range effort that flew in off the post and minutes later Ronaldo who had a quiet game had a easy tap in to give Madrid the lead on the night. United had to go for it and Rooney was sent on to gee up the troops but in truth were chasing shadows and the effort put in and the shock of that decision seemed to take the stuffing out of United.
The last 10 minutes saw United push on but Madrid keeper Lopez denied Carrick and Vidic headers and a RVP shot. Also Rooney had a glorious chance but spooned the ball over the bar. Ronaldo had a few half chances but de Gea denied him and the game fizzled out and United were out of Europe.
Much to ponder particularly the referee decision but the feeling where I was standing amongst the United support was that we didn't recover from the sending off sufficiently to stop Madrid. The shock factor got the better of us and although we did recover to push on, it left United chasing two goals. Plenty of man of the match but Giggs and Welbeck ran there legs off and get my vote.
Next up is Chelsea at Old Trafford in the FA cup, probably just the game we need to get the defeat out of the system.
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