GROUP STAGE
Wayne Rooney belted home his first goal of a frustrating
season to drive Manchester United into pole position in their
bid to reach the Champions League knock-out phase. There may have
been no repeat of the epic magnificent seven the last time they
met Roma but United's latest victory over the Italians will be
cherished almost as much.
GROUP STAGE
After a lengthy sequence of single-goal wins, Manchester
United have now settled upon a much happier number as they struck
four times for the third game running to virtually seal a place
in the Champions League group stage.
Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney, with his seventh goal in six
games for club and country, gave United a flying start before
Cristiano Ronaldo's double wrapped up a victory far more comfortable
than the scoreline suggests.
GROUP STAGE
Manchester United's calm stroll through Champions League
Group F continued at Old Trafford to further fuel a growing belief
this could be the season they emulate the European Cup heroes
of 1968 and 1999.
Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged the modern-day Red Devils
not to end their careers as 'nearly men'. And while Dynamo Kiev
represent nothing like the biggest obstacle on the path to glory
in Moscow on May 21, the ease with which United achieved their
victory suggests this could be a very special season.
GROUP STAGE
Cristiano Ronaldo saved the best until last to down his old
club for the second time this season and secure a top seeding
in the Champions League knock-out phase for Manchester United.
After his one-man mission to inflict more damage on Sporting Lisbon
appeared certain to end in frustration, Ronaldo stepped up to
drive home a 25-yard free-kick in the second minute of stoppage
time.
16 -TEAM STAGE 1 st Leg
Carlos Tevez stepped off the bench to grab a late equaliser
for Manchester United in their Champions League first leg match
with Lyon in France. Tevez ghosted in at the far post after Karim
Benzema had opened the scoring for the French champions with a
superb individual effort.
But the Argentinian's 87th-minute goal will give United confidence
going into the return leg at Old Trafford in two weeks, as they
seek to reach the quarter-finals of the competition they won
in 1999.
16 -TEAM STAGE 2 nd Leg
Cristiano Ronaldo again showed his liking for the big stage
by scoring the winner at Old Trafford as Manchester United set
another Champions League milestone following a 1-0 victory over
Lyon. The Portugal winger steered the club to a 10th straight
home victory in the competition, equalling Juventus' record set
11 years ago. Ronaldo struck in the 41st minute to break Lyon's
resistance and secure a place in the quarter-finals.
QUARTER-FINALS 1 st Leg
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney put Manchester
United firmly in the driving seat going into the second leg of
their Champions League quarter-final against Roma. Ronaldo made
the breakthrough with his 36th goal of the campaign to leave the
Italians stunned.
Then to heap more misery on the Italian title-chasers Wayne
Rooney extended United's lead in the second half after a defensive
mix-up in the six-yard box. It was truly a marvellous show of
composure from United.
QUARTER-FINALS 2 nd Leg
Carlos Tevez capped an industrious display with the only
goal to steer Manchester United into the semi-finals of the Champions
League for a second successive season. The Argentina striker put
the game out of Roma's reach by scoring in the 70th minute at
Old Trafford to ensure the match was beyond Roma. It was his fourth
goal of the European campaign and his 17th of the season and set
up a clash with Barcelona in the last four.
SEMI-FINALS 1 st Leg
Cristiano Ronaldo may have been unusually wasteful but Manchester
United are in sight of a place in the Champions League final.
The Portugal winger missed a penalty after only three minutes
at the Nou Camp and the chance of giving the side a precious away
goal.
United were rarely seen as an attacking force after that but they
will go into the second leg at Old Trafford next Tuesday with
quiet confidence. Despite the absence of Nemanja Vidic, who was
rushed to hospital on Tuesday night with a stomach complaint,
they defended resolutely and kept a clean sheet.
SEMI-FINALS 2nd Leg
Paul Scholes ended nine years of personal torment by blasting
Manchester United into the Champions League final with the only
goal as they beat Barcelona 1-0. Scholes' 14th-minute strike ensured
Moscow will host an all-English affair on May 21, with championship
challengers Chelsea or old rivals Liverpool lying in wait to provide
the opposition for United.
But while Sir Alex Ferguson looks for the second European Cup
that eluded Sir Matt Busby and, so far, him, for Scholes the
Luzhniki Stadium represents a night to savour.
THE FINAL
Manchester United became kings of Europe for the third time
on a night of high drama and emotion in Moscow as they beat Chelsea
6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time. Goalkeeper
Edwin van der Sar was the hero with a penalty save to deny Nicolas
Anelka after Chelsea captain John Terry had missed the chance
to win the Blues the trophy by firing his own spot-kick hit the
post.
The dramatic shootout looked to be going Chelsea's way after
Petr Cech saved Cristiano Ronaldo's effort but Terry's miss
opened the door for Sir Alex Ferguson to clinch his second Champions
League crown.
