United exited the Champions League in heartbreaking fashion, as Bayern Munich reached the semi-finals despite losing an enthralling encounter at Old Trafford.
Darron Gibson's early strike and a brace from Nani put United 3-0 up on the night after 41 minutes, only for Ivica Olic to quickly reduce the arrears before Arjen Robben hit a superb – and pivotal – second away goal for the Germans 16 minutes from time.
United, who had Rafael sent off for two bookings five minutes into the second half, were seemingly home and hosed after a breakneck start to the evening, but Bayern's 2-1 first leg victory in the Allianz Arena laid the foundations for an unlikely turnaround.
The harsh denouement to the evening was a far cry from the rousing manner with which United had started the game. For all the pre-match tub-thumping about raising the Old Trafford roof and providing a soundtrack to inspire Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, far more inspirational was the shock inclusion of Wayne Rooney.
Eight days of hysterical speculation could finally die down, as the team sheets confirmed pre-match whispers that United’s talisman would play a part after his battle with ankle ligament damage. Alongside him, Rafael and Darron Gibson replaced Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, while John O’Shea made a welcome return to the bench after his long battle with a complicated leg injury.
Source : Man Utd
