Rooney Risk, Rafael Red, Man U Out

Sir Alex Ferguson watched, with the rest of the world, a rampant Lionel Messi put the only other English side out of the Champions League last night, knowing that a Manchester United side without inform striker Wayne Rooney stood less of a chance of progressing to another European semi-final. What he knew, unlike the other rest of the world, was that Wayne had indeed “recovered” from his ankle injury and would be placed straight into the starting line up to head the line against the current Bundesliga leaders, Bayern Munich, in a bid to overturn the 2-1 deficit from one week ago.

2 minutes in and Rafael got Ferdinand out of a messy pass before advancing up the pitch. The attacking right-back found the feet of ‘man of the moment’ Rooney, who touched the ball first time off to Gibson. The young midfielder looked up and fired the ball passed the unsighted Butt from outside the box, making the tie, already, 2-2 on aggregate.

4 minutes later and who needs Messi? Rooney switched the ball out to Valencia, and after three or four teasing shifts in body weight, he swung the ball into the six yard box where Nani was unmarked. The Portuguese anomaly cheekily flicked the ball through his legs, rolling the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, putting Man U 3-2 up in the tie, 2-0 up on the night.

The game then settled down after such a frantic start, potentially created just from the inclusion of Rooney, with Bayern trying to find a foothold in the match. However, Manchester United still kept hassling a nervy German defence. Rafael then found himself in the book, after a blatant trip in retribution for a lack of a freekick that he felt he should have received.

However, things became slightly worrying for Manchester United when Rooney went over on his ankle merely 20 minutes in. Hobbling the striker went on in an attempt to run the persistent injury off.

Manchester United, confident after their electric start, started playing the ball around at the back in tight areas, sometimes getting themselves into trouble with the Germans pressing more. Ferdinand and Vidic were standing strong though. Van Bommel then brought down Fletcher, receiving a yellow card from a competent referee, which means the Bayern captain was not available for the semi-finals.

The home side were getting real joy by finding a touchline hugging Valencia, with the Ecuadorian easily beating his defensive opponents. Rafael completed the right-hand side domination winning the ball continually off Ribery. The right-back was enjoying his night so much he even raced up the pitch to find himself in an unnatural 3 on 1 position. However, his unease at being so far advanced up the pitch showed when he delayed a ball to one of his two supporting teammates and eventually dragged a shot wide.

Van der Sar then kept the Germans at bay, after a counter-attack from a Manchester United corner. Bayern raced up the pitch with the ball eventually finding itself at the feet of Olic in one-on-one with the United goalkeeper. However, the Croatian’s touch was a little too heavy, giving the Dutch man time to smothered any opportunity.
The Germans were seemingly rueing this missed opportunity only a minute later, when Valencia, once more, knocked the ball past Demichelis and crossed the ball to find Nani, who calmly placed the ball into the roof of the net sending Old Trafford into wild celebrations.

The game momentarily appeared over, yet the Germans had not come to be bossed. The ball was knocked up to Olic, who shrugged off Carrick far too easily, and then squeezed the ball past Van der Sar from a tight angle. So Manchester went in at half time 3-1 up, 4-3 on aggregate, with penalties no longer a possibility, after an enthralling half of football.

Bayern kicked off the second half, with the only change being Gomez coming on for an ineffective Muller. The Germans came out with some good possession football, attempting to instil so more nerves into a previously unworried Old Trafford crowd.
Disaster then struck for Manchester United when Rafael pulled back Ribery in the middle of the park. The Germans demanded a second yellow card for the young Brazilian, but the referee needed little persuasion, and one of the best players of the first half, saw his second half end after a mere 5 minutes.

It was back to the walls for Manchester United with the Germans in the ascendancy and the 10man United already carrying an unagile Rooney. Valencia was still playing well, and Badstuber had clearly not forgotten his first half drumming, placing a reckless challenge of the winger earning him a yellow card and a suspension from the semis. Rooney was then withdrawn to be replaced by a fit again John O’Shea.

Van der Sar was called into action once more, when a Ribery volley was fired straight at the Dutch man, after a steady build up. The match felt like it was reaching the final few minutes, but half an hour yet remained in the game.

Manchester United were standing solid. Evra intercepted a pass and meandered up the field, before dinking the ball over the top for on an onrushing Nani. On his hatrick the lone frontman was one-on-one with Butt but the German stood up well and blocked the shot away for a corner. From the corner Nani found an unmarked Carrick, but he could only blaze his shot over the bar.

Gomez then had an opportunity to put Bayern ahead on away goals, after Philip Lahm put in a dangerous whipped cross, but the forward saw his header clip the top of the cross bar. However, this was not going to the last opportunity Bayern would have, with the German side switching the play across the pitch to spread the United defence with ease.

Arjen Robben then brought the sublime to the game, when a corner found him on the edge of the United box. The former Chelsea winger volleyed the ball deep into the corner past the outstretched Van der Sar hand. This brought the game to 3-2 to Manchester on the night, but 4-4 on aggregate, meaning the Germans were going through on away goals.

This was Robbens last contribution with him being brought off. Manchester United, with only 10 minutes to score to advance into the semi-final, brought on Berbatov and Ryan Giggs for a tired Michael Carrick and Darren Gibson. Olic then got withdrawn for the Bayern for a more defensive Pranjic.

Valencia and Nani were looking dangerous, but they found it difficult to find a teammate through a now compact Bayern. However, Manchester United found the ball in their possession increasingly little, with Bayern passing around a tired 10 men. The time ticked away and three minutes of extra time was not enough to change the eventual outcome, leading Manchester United to a premature exit from the Champions League.

So for the first time in 7 years there will not be an English side in the Champions League semi-finals. The Germans joined Barcelona, Inter Milan and Lyon with the final in Madrid within touching distance. Rooney’s aggravated injury did not aid Manchester United’s chances, but it was Rafael’s red card that changed the game, combined with a bit of magic from Arjen Robben, steering Bayern Munich past Manchester United, into the Champions League semi-final where they face Lyon.